Officers and the trading standards team carried out a large search of the Willow Farm Car Boot Sale on April 6.
Among the 1,000 items seized using sniffer dogs were also bikes, illegal vapes and fake goods, as well as cash.
Four men, aged between 40 and 60, from Hackney and Southend-on-Sea, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.(Image: Met Police)
The operation came after complaints to the police by local tradespeople about increasing tool thefts.
Inspector Daniel Selby, from Essex Police’s Grays Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Hard-working tradespeople rely on their tools to make a living and we appreciate how devastating the implications of a theft can be for victims and their families at a time when many people are struggling financially.
“Purchasing illegitimate goods only serves to line the pockets of the criminals, creates a market that inevitably leads to more offending, and can land the buyer in serious trouble.”
Officers are now going to be working hard to trace the owners of the tools found in the market on New Road, Wennington.
The tools were identified by dogs that sniffed out items marked with forensic water.
Police urged people to mark power tools, take photographs, and record serial numbers to give officers more chance of returning property.
Marking tools with SelectaDNA forensic water also helps officers identify stolen goods.
Met officers will be hosting a free tool marking event at the Toolstation in Ramac Way in Charlton between 7.30am and 2pm tomorrow (April 8).
Officers also spoke to potential buyers, urging them to not buy anything they know or think is stolen.
A Met spokesperson said: “If the price seems too good to be true, it could be the item is either stolen or fake. Buying goods you know or suspect to be stolen is a criminal offence.
“If you suspect anyone of selling stolen or counterfeit goods, you can report this to us online or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
