A PETITION designed to help prevent tool thefts from vans has had more than 1,000 signatures.

Tradespeople are hoping to change the law by making theft from commercial vehicles a specific crime.

A campaign, which has attracted support from Whitley councillor Rachel Eden, launched in response to a spate of incidents across Reading.

Cllr Eden has joined forces with local carpenters, Micky Leng and Mark Russell, to lobby for a change in the law.

She said: “Theft from commercial vehicles has a huge impact on tradespeople and small businesses in Reading.

"Not only is there a high cost in time and money to replace tools and to fix the damage caused, it stops people being able to work, leading to loss of earnings and huge financial impacts.”

"A Home Office research study states that the average cost of theft from a commercial vehicle and contents - compared to a domestic vehicle and contents - is double.

“With vehicle theft on the rise, it particularly affects van drivers, whether self-employed or small businesses. I fully support the campaign and I will be working to help it succeed.”

The campaigners started an online petition and achieved more than 1,000 signatures in just over two weeks.

Mr Leng added: “So many of us have had our vans broken into and it has a massive impact on our work.

"There needs to be a stronger deterrent so people’s work is not affected. I hope everyone will sign our petition and get behind the campaign.”

Visit: https://bit.ly/2CesWAV to sign the petition.