Gardaí are investigating the theft of a generator from a parked van in a carpark at a premises on the Headford Road, Galway, which occurred at around 8:35pm on Monday December 15.
At 9:00pm on the same date, a van parked outside a premises on the Dublin Road, Galway, was broken into and power tools were stolen.
It is believed the thieves are targeting the vans in the knowledge that tradespeople are in local accommodation attached to the carparks.
Investigations are ongoing. Gardaí have asked tradespeople to take extra precautions with their tools and vans.
There are a few key steps:
· Don’t leave tools in your van overnight if you can help it.
· Install additional security like deadlocks, ‘van vaults’ or internal cages.
· Park Smart – back your van up against a wall or fence to block access to rear/side doors. Park in a well-lit area, under CCTV cameras if possible.
· Mark your tools with your name or company name.
· Consider a monitored vehicle alarm and tracking devices for valuable property
· Record serial numbers and take photos, then email them to yourself – you then have a record and it helps when we recover stolen property.
Crime Prevention Officer for Galway, Sergeant Olivia Fleming said it is all about money, so these stolen tools will be sold on for cash, in this supply and demand market.
“Always buy from legitimate sources and if you are offered something under suspicious circumstances, it could be stolen.
“Refuse to buy it and report the incident to your local Garda station,” she added.
