Thieves steal Paul Ellison's power tools

Items taken are all Stihl-branded and include a leaf blower, chainsaw, strimmer, and both long-  and short-reach hedgecutters (pictured)

Stihl power tools have been stolen from Man of Rochdale Paul Ellison’s van in Norden, during the early hours of Wednesday morning (24 February).

Paul, who runs his own company Evergreen Landscapes and is involved with many community projects like Rochdale In Bloom, the Friends of Jubilee Park and NEEVA (Norden Environmental and Economic Village Association), says the theft took place outside his Edenfield Road home, after he loaded his van at 6.30am. Just 20 minutes later, the tools had been taken.

He said: “The van was locked, so it’s really disturbing how they took my tools. I think they’ve watched me load up and then somehow got into the van and taken the tools over the front seats.”

Items taken are all Stihl-branded and include a leaf blower, chainsaw, strimmer, and both long and short-reach hedgecutters.

However, by 8.30am Paul was on the road, ready for the working day after receiving many offers to loan him the equipment needed.

He added: “The response from the community has been great. So many people and businesses offered the use of their tools, which I really appreciate. A big thank you to Chris Ashton from Special Branch Tree Surgery for supplying me with replacement tools this morning; thank you so much.”

The theft has been reported to Greater Manchester Police, which has been contacted for comment.