TENS of thousands of pounds worth of specialist tools have been snatched from a Barrasford business in an overnight raid.

Thieves targeted the Barrasford Garage after the owners had locked up for the evening on Thursday, August 18.

Between 5.30pm on Thursday and 8am the next morning tools worth a total of £40,000 were stolen.

The thieves broke in by forcing a hole in the corrugated iron outer wall, crawling through and then making a second hole in the internal wall.

They then left the premises via the front door, taking a cache of valuable tools with them.

The stolen goods include a number of expensive Snap-On tools, two welding machines, four bearing-puller tools and two gas bottles.

Police are investigating the theft and say it could be connected with a recent theft at a Simonburn sawmill where specialist tools were taken.

Witnesses and anyone with information are encouraged to come forward.

Police are also keen to speak with anyone who may know anything about the tools, particularly if they are being sold. Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Oates said: It doesn’t look like it’s been a random act. It looks like they’ve targeted the premises for what they knew was in there.”

Anyone with information which could help police is asked to call 101.