A MAN has been left "devastated" after his work van carrying more than £30,000 of tools was stolen.

Self-employed joiner Daniel Dainty, of Glen Avenue, Deane, woke up on Tuesday morning and found that his grey Ford Transit van had been taken overnight.

Daniel, 34, has been out of pocket after being left with a list of jobs he is unable to complete following the theft.

He also had no insurance for the tools as he could not get a policy to cover their high value.

The Bolton News:

The Bolton News:

The Bolton News:

Daniel's van

Daniel said: "I am devastated. I feel like my world has been ripped from underneath me.

"I have had a van parked up for the last five years with my own one outside for two years.

"I got home at 9pm on Monday and when I went to go to work at 9am on Tuesday it was gone.

"The van can be replaced but I have been building my tools up for the last 15 years

"I have built them up a lot over the last six years and I only bought a brand new chop saw worth £1,700 two months ago.

"More than £30,000 tools were in the van which are going to be hard to replace.

"The people who go and steal tools do not realise the impact on the person and the family they are taking them from. It is easy money from them.

"I get lots of jobs from Wickes along with other customers but there is no way I can physically do them now.

"I have only been back at work for three weeks since the lockdown and I didn't get any financial support while I was not working."

The Bolton News:

Daniel Dainty

A GMP spokesman said: “A grey Ford Transit was stolen from a property on Glen Avenue in Deane by a group of unknown offenders.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

One source of comfort for Daniel has been the support of his family and friends and he has praised them for their support.

A crowdfunding page has been set up to help him with his financial struggles.

The GoFundMe page states: "My brother has had his £15,000 van stolen and £35,000 worth of tools that he stored in there.

"It has taken him 15 years to get to where he is now and he works seven days a week as a joiner/kitchen fitter.

"He took pride in his job and his tool collection and now some low life scum bag has taken all of it away from him."

To visit the page click here.

If you have any information contact police on 101.