Arrest after raid finds dozens of stolen tools
Surrey PoliceA man has been held after officers discovered dozens of stolen tools at an address in Ealing.
The search, which also found two electric bikes, was part of an investigation into tool thefts in Surrey and Sussex.
"The pictures... aren't even half of what was found," Surrey Police said in a social media post.
The force is seeking to reunite the tools with their "rightful owners".
The arrested man, who officers described as being in his 30s, was held on suspicion of handling stolen goods before being bailed.
Surrey Police wrote on Facebook: "We take these crimes seriously, as we understand how tool theft can negatively impact those who rely upon them for a living.
"Work is going on behind the scenes to tackle this type of offending in our county."
Data from 2024 showed that only a fraction of tool thefts reported in Surrey led to someone being arrested or charged.
The data from Surrey Police showed the force received 277 tool thefts reports between April 2023 and March 2024, but only two charges and five arrests were made
Surrey Police added: "We appreciate it's hard to keep tools safe in a van when a determined thief will find a way to break in."
But officers urged people to protect their items by parking in a secure car park or garage overnight, removing tools from vans where possible and parking their vehicles within view of CCTV or street lighting.
The force urged anyone who recognised any of the pictured items to get in contact, and said they would need to provide proof of purchase before they can take the tool away.
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