A man carrying out DIY jobs in his garden in the afternoon had his tools stolen while he was still on the premises but had gone inside the house.

Thieves took two power saws, a jigsaw, a grinder, two drills and a screwdriver.

The theft was on Wednesday, June 24 between 1pm and 6pm in Debden Road, Saffron Walden.

It was one of three incidents in the town in the past fortnight.

A second burglary took place in East Street, Saffron Walden on June 30 when thieves got into a home that was apparently secure by slipping the lock to the rear sash window. They stole two wrist watches and a pocket watch and left through the French doors.

Last week, between July 2 and 4, there was an attempted burglary when suspects tried to gain entry to a barn on Cole End Lane, Saffron Walden. They cut the padlock from the rear door but couldn’t get in because the inner door was fully locked.

Anyone with information on any of these crimes can contact Braintree CID at Braintree Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.