Launceston police said there had been a spike in property stolen from utes and work vehicles.

Rocherlea, Hadspen, Mayfield and Launceston central car parks have all been hit recently, mostly at night.

Some of the items taken include power tools, chainsaws, ladders, general tools, CB radios, fuel, tool boxes, generators, wheelbarrows and torches.

``Tools are very hot property at the moment,'' Senior Constable Annabel Shegog,  Northern community policing services, said.

``Some of our offenders also are specifically targeting tradies' utes, small trucks at businesses, knowing they will get good quality tools.''

Some of these crimes are opportunistic, while others are more targeted, she said.

Crime prevention advice:

 Businesses and tradesmen should mark their tools so they can be identified later. 

 The Launceston Police Headquarters has a large amount of property that cannot be returned to its owners as they cannot identify their own property.

 Tradespeople should try and lock their utes in a garage at night or very close to their residence. 

 Security around businesses should be up to scratch. Alarms and sensor lighting are strongly recommended.  Ensure that vehicles are locked.