THIEVES have repeatedly targeted a busy industrial estate.

Darren Powell, from Canvey, said the latest break-in has left him devastated, as he is not insured and cannot afford the near £4,000 cost of replacing classic car repair tools he has built up over the last 20 years.

The 41-year-old claimed thieves have broken into as many as seven units at Charfleets Industrial Estate, off Kings Close, Canvey, in the last six weeks.

Mr Powell, whose unit is on the side of BW Rice Skip Hire, said: “They forced their way in and stole all my Snap On tools, which I used to do up old Triumphs, Land Rovers and classic cars.

“They knew what they were after, as they picked up all the expensive tools they knew they could offload.

“It also looked like they might have been disturbed – as they had piled up all my power tools outside the unit, but left without taking them, so it could have been even worse.

“I haven’t made my mind up if I will continue with the hobby, as I can’t afford to replace the tools.

“Also, what’s the point of going to all that trouble, if someone is just going to steal all my tools..”

Since the break-in, Mr Powell has filled up skips – belonging to his employer BW Rice – with mud and placed them in front of his unit.

He hopes this will stop the crooks from getting in again.

He fears crooks may be using the £18.5million Roscommon Way Extension to get in and out of the industrial estate quickly.

They also targeted a unit next door, belonging to the boss of BW Rice Skip Hire.

This contained five motocross bikes, worth more than £10,000.

Mr Powell discovered he had been the victim of a break-in on Monday morning.

Anyone with information about the burglary, which happened sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, is asked to contact police at Castle Point on 101. Otherwise, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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