A HAUL of suspected stolen tools worth around £15,000 has been recovered in York.

On Saturday at about 10.30am, two PCSOs from the York Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team were in the Clifton area when they entered a garden of a property "due to suspicious activity," North Yorkshire Police said.

The found a "large quantity" of tools and power tools in the garden, the force added.

With support from Response and Specialist Operations police colleagues, two people – a man and a woman, aged 38 and 35 – were arrested at the scene, the force said. They have since been released under investigation as inquiries continue.

The force said inquiries are ongoing to find two further suspects wanted in connection with the incident.

The tools, worth about £15,000, were seized by officers, and taken to a police station for safe-keeping.

They are believed to have been stolen in recent burglaries from commercial premises in Haxby, Wigginton, Stockton on the Forest and Crockey Hill. They are now in the process of being returned to their owners.

Inspector Lee Pointon, of York Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team, commented: “Due to the quick-thinking and prompt action of officers, a large amount of property has been recovered and returned to its rightful owners.

“Although York is a really safe place to live and do business, I want to remind people to secure their premises, and make life as difficult as possible for any burglar, particularly as the nights draw in.

“The good news is on this occasion we have been able to identify the owners of the property. However, that isn’t always the case, and I would urge tradespeople to get their tools marked with dot peen security marking equipment.

“It’s a service that Neighbourhood Policing Teams offer free of charge – we will come to you, and once marked, anybody found with your property without a lawful excuse will have a lot of explaining to do!”

To find out more about dot peen property marking in your area, visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen