THERE was a spate of vandalism and thefts around Harwood, Bradshaw and Bromley Cross on Monday night where thieves targeted vans, stealing many people's tools.

Over half a dozen people reported on a community Facebook page that they had been targeted by what appeared to be three men breaking into vans and stealing tools, such as drills, before driving away.

This happened over a period of hours on Monday evening with residents catching three men who they believe to be responsible on CCTV.

One incident involved a passenger-side window of a van being smashed with a crowbar to steal tools from inside which happened just after 10pm in Rose Lea, just off Hough Fold Way in Harwood.

This incident involved two vans, with both broken into and one left with a smashed window.

The residents of the house, who did not wish to be named, came home as the incident was happening, with the people stealing from their vans dropping the crowbar they were using to break in before escaping.

Brookfield Lane, near to Rose Lea in Harwood, was also targeted by the thieves who managed to open the doors of another van and steal tools from inside.

Residents believed the thieves may have been using a key that overrode the locking system on some vans to break in.

Boxes of tools were then found in Kershaw Road, off Turton Road in Bradshaw towards Bromley Cross, where it appeared many of the stolen tools were dumped.

Police have said that no arrests have been made relating to the incidents, and that enquiries are ongoing.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed the incidents, saying: “Police received a report shortly before 10.10pm on Monday, February 22, regarding the theft of a motor vehicle on Rose Lea, Bolton.

“It is believed that the offenders approached a white Peugeot Expert van and gained entry using a crowbar which was left at the scene.

“A report was also made of interference with another vehicle in the area.

“Enquiries are ongoing into both incidents and no arrests have been made,” the spokesman added.

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