THIEVES have found a 'new way' of breaking into vans to steal expensive tools.

To stop them being able to do it, police have told drivers to park near lamp-posts and by big buildings that block access.

In the latest spree of break-ins around West Oxfordshire thieves have cut their way into vans, popping off the locks and prising their way into the vans to steal things from inside.

In an appeal online, PSCO Keen wrote: "When parking your van, try to park as near to buildings or solid structure so criminals can't access locks.

"Don’t park in isolated areas to do paperwork of for a meal break. Park in car parks which are part of the police approved ‘Park Mark’ scheme."