TWO self-employed men have been left without a means to make a living after thieves stole their their equipment in separate incidents in the Consett area.

In the first incident burglars broke into a garage in the St Andrew's Close area of Blackhill, Consett, at around 1.45am on Friday.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "In excess of £2,000 worth of gardening equipment has been stolen leaving the victim unable to work within his role as a self-employed gardener.

"It is suggested that the suspects involved may have left the scene in a silver-coloured van towards Durham Road."

In the second incident a white Ford Transit works van was stolen from outside an address in St Cuthberts Avenue, Consett.

The spokesman said: "This van contained a large number of trade tools meaning that the owner has not only lost a vehicle, but also the ability to work and make a living.

"The theft is believed to have occurred on Saturday between 7pm and 10.30pm."

If anyone in the area saw or heard anyone or anything suspicious around this time, if you have CCTV or a Dash Cam that may have captured anything, or if you have further information that may help, contact Durham Police on 101.

Anyone with information on the burglary should quote incident number DHM-12012018-0051 and on the theft of the van give the incident number DHM-14012018-0117.