A PLUMBER who had all his power tools stolen by thieves was left 'gobsmacked' after his neighbours chipped together to help replace them.

Dave Smith, who has been a self-employed plumber and heating engineer in the local area for 25 years, was left devastated when around £1,700 worth of power tools were stolen from his van parked outside his home on Foley Street at sometime between last Monday night and Tuesday morning.

"I did hear a noise about 12.30am but didn't think anything of it and just thought it was somebody badly parking as it sound like a scratching," said Mr Smith.

"It's a well populated street and people are always coming and going. The first I knew about it was when a neighbour living opposite came across to tell me that his van had also been broken into the same as mine.

"The thieves had just broken the lock of my van and it was quite professionally done. They didn't take my hand tools but all my power tools. My neighbour didn't have power tools in his van and they left his hand tools scattered down the street.

"These people think it's their right to take what isn't theirs."

Mr Smith was out of work for the following day but his spirits were lifted on Wednesday evening when a letter came through the door with a 'substantial' amount of cash collected by neighbours to help replace the stolen goods.

"I was gobsmacked and want to send a heartfelt thanks to those who have donated money," added Mr Smith.

"Everybody is friendly in the street and says hello to each other but this is the first time I've heard of this happening. Luckily there hasn't been a major incident that required intervention.

"I know who organised the collection and they are fairly new to the area. Another resident offered me the use of their power tools which might have got me out of trouble. It has been a bit like war time stuff where everybody has got together and supported me.

"It's certainly a bygone thing but not down this street by the looks of things."

Anybody with any information can contact police by ringing 101.