Two men have been arrested following the theft of £2,000 worth of tools from a van parked on Washbourne Road in Royal Wootton Bassett. The incident was reported to police at 11:45 a.m. today, November 8, and within 25 minutes, officers apprehended the suspects.
The van’s owner provided a description of a black Mazda 3 and two individuals seen leaving the scene. Roads policing officers located and stopped the vehicle in Hay Lane, Swindon. One suspect attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained, while the other remained with the car.
The suspects, aged 27 and 61, were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. The 27-year-old man was additionally arrested for driving without a valid licence and insurance. Both men are currently in police custody, and a significant number of tools believed to be stolen were recovered from the vehicle.
Roads Policing Officer Ben Greening commented, “The theft of tools can have a huge financial impact on tradespeople, directly affecting their livelihoods. We’re committed to responding swiftly to such incidents and have increased resources to tackle these crimes robustly.”
Police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around 11:45 a.m. or who has doorbell or dashcam footage to contact them on 101, quoting log 54240131997.
