Thieves distracted a tradesman working in a busy street and drove off in his van in Royston last week – and police have now launched a witness appeal.

The incident, which happened in Melbourn Road between 10.50am and 11am last Wednesday – saw a man approach the victim and engage him in conversation while a second man got into his van, a white Ford Transit, and drove it away.

The first offender is described as a white man, of medium build, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s. He had short, dark hair and was wearing dark-coloured shoes, dark-coloured tracksuit trousers and a green jacket.

He left the scene in a Citroen Berlingo van with blue sign writing on the side.

The man who took the Transit is described as a white man, of slim build, and also thought to be in his late teens or early 20s. He also had short, dark hair and was wearing a dark-coloured jacket.

If you saw a van matching the description, or saw any suspicious activity in the area and have not yet spoken with police, call 101 quoting crime reference G4/18/124.