Premier Inn in Hinckley targeted again by thieves stealing from vans

The thieves gained entry to Lee Crook's work van and stole tools

Several vans have been damaged by thieves who targeted tradesmen parked outside a hotel in Leicestershire.

Painter decorator Lee Crook said his work van was cut open "like a tin of sardines" so the thieves could steal hundreds of pounds worth of tools.

Similar offences have previously been committed at the same hotel, which is the Premier Inn in Hinckley, and other hotels in the group.

Premier Inn has been asked to comment but has not responded.

Glen Roberts, who is Mr Crook's boss, said: "I think they need to do something about it if it's a regular occurrence."

Police said four offences were reported to them on Tuesday morning

Mr Crook discovered the damage on Tuesday morning, then realised two blow vacs and two angle grinders had been stolen.

A member of hotel staff said up to 12 vans were targeted, but Leicestershire Police said only four offences had been reported to them.

A spokesperson said: "Leicestershire Police is investigating after four reports were made on Tuesday 10 October of vans being broken into or damaged while parked in a hotel car park in Coventry Road, Hinckley.

"All of the vans were targeted overnight - sometime between 7pm and 7am."

Police said the offenders gained entry to only two of the vans

Police said two of the reports were attempted break-ins and the thieves did not gain entry.

They gained entry to two of the vans but tools were only stolen from one of them, police said.

Police said two similar offences were committed at the same hotel on 15 August.

Other Premier Inn hotels targeted by thieves stealing from vans include those in South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.