Carpet fitter Jason Francis with a carpet stretcher - the only tool he was left with after his van was stolen
Chadwell Heath carpet fitter has to start business from scratch after £7.5k theft of van and tools
Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
9:00 AM
A self-employed carpet fitter is facing the prospect of starting his business from scratch after the theft of his van has left him £7,500 out of pocket.
Jason Francis, 47, of Jarrow Road, Chadwell Heath, awoke on Wednesday of last week to see his white Vauxhall van, containing all his tools, missing from his drive.
He said: “I felt like crying. There’s always someone else worse off, but I’ve got to start again. It had everything in there.”
He suspects it was stolen between midnight and 4am.The Movano van (registration SE57 EPU), which he has had since 2007, is worth around £5,500 and contained two sets of tools and carpet material worth around £2,000.
Mr Francis, who trades under the name J Francis Carpets, was left with just his work boots, helmet and jacket.
He is now considering getting another loan, after having previously borrowed to buy the van which was stolen to comply with emissions regulations.
He said: “You don’t get much insurance, not the same amount. I’m going to have to work double the amount.”
Inquiries have been made with the police.
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