High-priced tools were stolen from the Echo Tools building in the industrial estate on Jane Morbey Road nearly two weeks ago, but it is only now that the owners have realised the value of the burglary.
Thieves broke into the unit some time between 1am and 2am on June 4.

They smashed through inspection windows in the rolldown shutters on the front of the building, despite them being made of re-inforced steel.
It was only during a stock take days later, that workers at the site realised just how much had been taken.

Darren Spencer, operations director at Echo Tools, said: "It's very damaging to our business and inflates our insurance premiums and stops us being able to meet the demands of our customers.

"We have increased security at the building with surveillance cameras at £3,500 and steel shutters at £3,500 so it's quite a significant sum to be paying out."

Fourteen chainsaws, one power pruner, three 'shred 'n' vacs', seven brush cutters and one hedge cutter totalling £17,648 went missing during the burglary.

PC Andrea Smith, who is dealing with the crime, said: "There is a housing estate behind the industrial estate and we are very keen to hear from anyone who might have seen or heard anything around this time."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.