A shocking video shows thieves breaking into a van and stealing tools, putting a tradesman out of work and thousands out of pocket.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed they are investigating the theft, which happened in Church Street, Rickmansworth, at around 9pm on February 17.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the victim, Stephen Baker of S.B Multitrade, who has been unable to work without his tools.

See the GoFundMe here

In the video a thief walks up to the van and uses a tool to open the side door before a second man joins him and they walk back to take the tools.

Two pedestrians even walk by, unaware masked thieves are waiting for them to pass about a metre away.

Stephen said: “I was out with a friend on a night out. When I returned I noticed screws on the floor.

“I clocked there was a small incision in the back of the door and then I found all my tools had been taken or broken.”

The 29-year-old said the theft had put him “in a hole” financially and left him “angry” and “depressed”.

He could not get back on his feet through insurance because the tools were stolen from a rental van he had been using since an accident.

Watford Observer: The van being broken intoThe van being broken into (Image: Stephen Baker)

On February 18, Stephen, who has worked in Watford for 10 years, announced he had cancelled all work he had booked in until further notice as he “cannot carry out any works without the tools”.

He then said he would be closing his business for good because he had been unable to claim back on the insurance.

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“When I posted saying that we were going to close the company a few clients said we can do a GoFundMe,” he said.

“I refused it at first as I didn’t want to be taking money off of the community, as the money could find better use elsewhere, but eventually a friend called about it and we did set one up.

“We are going to see where it goes from there.”

In just two days £905 has already been raised.