THIEVES broke into a van and stole thousands of pounds of power tools in a late-night raid.

The theft saw Martyn Maguire’s Snap On tools van targeted as he was due to start a holiday.

The mobile salesman, who sells directly to mechanics garages across Hyndburn, Haslingden and Hapton, has now been left without his stock, as well as his own tools and parts kit which he had built up over the past 10 years in the job.

Mr Maguire, who lives in Oswaldtwistle, said: “It is unbelievable what they have taken and it has caused me problems.

“Trying to build the stock up will take time.”

Thieves broke into the compound where the van was being kept overnight on the outskirts of Oswaldtwistle, before wrecking lights to obscure the CCTV.

The van had a manufacturer’s lock, and a deadlock but the raiders were able to get into the cab of the vehicle.

They then disconnected the battery and forced a gap through to the stock in the back of the vehicle.

Mr Maguire said items including mechanical tools, hand tools and diagnostic equipment was stolen.

After stealing the majority of the stock from the van a fire extinguisher was sprayed on the vehicle in a bid to hide finger prints.

CCTV footage was recovered from the scene appears to show a Bedford Rascal van being used by the thieves.

It had been modified with side windows and looked like a mini-bus, Mr Maguire said.

The incident happened on May 18 at 2.30am.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have spotted something suspicious to come forward and contact police.

“If anyone is offered any cheap Snap On tools then we would urge them to get in touch with us as they could be some of the items stolen in this incident.”

Call police on 01254 51212.