AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after residents and tradesmen were targeted on a one-night crime spree.

Several tradesmen reported having had equipment burgled from their garages and from sheds at their Stone Croft homes - a cul-de-sac less than half a mile from Ambleside town centre.

Six high-range mountain bikes were stolen along with expensive power tools and machinery.

Hacksaws, hedge cutters and drills were among the items taken. The most high-value objects stolen, however, were the mountain bikes - two of which were a Canyon Spectral and a GT Sanction which were both valued at around £2,000 if bought new.

The six properties understood to have been burgled are within approximately 200 metres of each other.

Andrew Slade, a tree surgeon, says his garage was one of the burgled properties.

“It looks like they’ve had a field day here,” Mr Slade said.

“I don’t know if someone’s been watching the area for a while now. But the burglary seemed like something that had been planned for some time.

“They may have filled up their van and then simply made off, not having enough space to pack in any more stuff.

“My wife and I have been here about eight years or so and we’ve never seen anything like it. The neighbours we’ve spoken with and they’ve never seen anything like it in all the time they’ve been here either.”

Mike Withers, owner of the Blue Hill Development Ltd company, says he was also targeted.

Mr Withers says he woke up to find the door of his shed, where he also kept building equipment, removed from its hinges.

He said the thieves made off with cordless tools only, leaving behind cabled equipment. He says they also took his girlfriend’s mountain bike.

“They certainly knew where to look, as adjacent properties that didn’t have bikes or power tools were left alone," he said.

Mr Withers said the total value of the goods looted from his shed came to around £1,300.

“I got off lightly,” he said. “I feel for the guy down the road who lost his bikes and tools worth thousands and the teenager who spent years saving up to pursue his love of mountain biking. He can’t afford to replace his bike.

“There is a crowd funding page set up to get him another bike. A bit of community spirit helps to restore your faith.”

The burglaries occurred some time during the night of the February 10.