Police are keen to reunite more than 600 power tools with their rightful owners after more than £50,000 worth of machinery was seized from a lock-up.

In recent months, Hertfordshire has experienced a rise in van breaks, with power tools being stolen from vehicles as a result. In comparison to last year, theft from motor vehicle offences in the county increased by 22 per cent.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Specialist Investigation Team launched Operation Enfile, which aims to drive down these offences and identify the offenders responsible to put a permanent stop to the crimes.

In a proactive, covert drive in Broxbourne on June 18, where five further vehicles were broken into that weekend, police investigations and intelligence led officers to a storage unit in the London Borough of Newham.

Inside the unit they discovered hundreds of power tools which are believed to have been stolen as part of the illegal operation.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of four men in connection with the crimes on suspicion of theft from motor vehicle. Those arrested include a 21-year-old man from Oxford, a 50-year-old man from Hackney, and a 15-year-old boy from Hackney. They have been released pending further investigations.

Thirty-two-year old John Maughan was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal. He was charged with the offence on June 18 and was remanded in police custody. He appeared at Hatfield Remand Court on June 19 and was released on bail. He is next due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on July 21.

Detective Inspector Anna Wright, from the Specialist Investigation Team, said: “Over the past year we have seen an unacceptable rise in thefts from vans, and are determined to drive these offences down and bring those responsible to justice.

“After my team’s on-going investigations we were delighted to make the arrests last week and to seize what we believe to be hundreds of stolen items. We are now working on the task of reuniting the suspected stolen items with their rightful owners.

“If you have had a van broken into and tools stolen in the past year, and know you have distinguishing marks on the items or serial numbers, please do contact us on 01707 638192.

“I would urge van owners who carry tools around in their vehicles to get them security marked. Engraving or marking your tools makes them less attractive as they are harder for thieves to sell on. It is also easier to return them to their rightful owners if they are ever stolen and later recovered by police as we have done in this instance.”