A trade worker has had £4,000 of tools stolen from his van in Oldham – and claims police have not acted despite the vehicle being used in the theft being up for sale in Bolton.

Joe Mcnamee was at work on Manchester Road in the town on Thursday afternoon when he left his van locked.

The joiner returned a few moments later from the property he had been working at to be told by a pedestrian someone he had been in his vehicle.

Numerous people who witnessed the incident had taken photos of the Toyota which the thieves made off in.

But despite seeing the same car for sale in Bolton, Mr Mcnamee says he is yet to hear from the police.

The 25-year-old from Wigan, who has been the victim of a previous theft of his tools, spoke of his disappointment.

He said: “I have rang the police numerous times over the weekend to see if there are any updates but nothing as of yet.

“This is the second time this has happened to me in two years .

“Tools for a tradesman is the same as photographer with a camera, without them you can’t do your job, you can’t earn a wage and you can’t support your family.

“Many people don’t have thousands and thousands of pounds to go and replace everything , I have not slept properly over this Easter weekend trying to source funds to replace my tools so I can return to work.

“My employer has been kind enough to help me do this. “These crimes are happening every day and nothing seems to be getting done about it, if I stole £4000 from a bank I would be behind bars in 24 hours.

“But steal £4000 worth of tools from a tradesman which is his way of keeping a roof over his family’s head and nothing seems to be followed up.”

A police spokesperson said: "Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this incident, including into the vehicle understood to be involved in the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time."