POLICE officers are appealing for witnesses after crooks struck twice to empty two vans of tools in Cowley and Blackbird Leys.

A Stihl circular saw was taken from an unlocked Ford Transit van at 2pm last Wednesday as it was parked at the Oxford College of Further Education campus in Cuddesdon Way.

The crime is being connected with another two days later when thieves broke into a white LDV Maxus van parked overnight in Hurst Way, Cowley.

Between 7.30pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday they stole two Bosch drills, two Hitachi nail guns and a Bosch planer.

Pc Laura Mabbott said: “Often people invite thieves to take an interest in their vehicle by leaving valuable items in open view. Thieves also know that people leave laptops and bags in the boots of their cars so it’s not safe to leave anything valuable in your car.” She added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to warn anyone who is offered cheap tools for sale not to buy them as they may be stolen and that handling stolen goods is not only a criminal offence, but it also fuels the demand and increases crime.”

If anyone has information they should call Pc Mabbott on 101, or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111.