NO matter how hard you try - some people are just plain unlucky.

Michael Collins, 48, owner of CNL Property, on Canvey, has battled against thieves who seem intent on stealing from his base in St Michael's Road.

From putting in more padlocks to parking up his van to block the gates, it seems he has done all he can.

So when he arrived for work yesterday morning he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw thieves had removed bricks from the back wall and stolen £2,000 worth of tools through the hole they had made.

Mr Collins, who lives in Southend, said: "It's the third time we've been done. It's really frustrating."

Neighbours heard noises at the building between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, but thought it was people working in nearby gardens.

Mr Collins added: "We double padlock the front doors with two big padlocks and they are big wooden doors. Then we park the van outside of it so no one can get in. They've gone around the back wall and taken bricks away from the wall to get through."

Among the tools taken were an angle grinder and two Kangos, which break down concrete.

PC Stuart Crowe, of Canvey neighbourhood policing team, said: "We will be deploying high visibility patrols in the area to counteract any issues which may exist."

Call Canvey police on 0300 333 444 if you have any information.