A mental health charity is reeling after opportunistic thieves swiped hundreds of pounds worth of vital equipment in Crystal Palace.

Members of Community Options, based in Fielding Lane, Bromley, were the unwitting victims of a suspected distraction burglary last Monday.

The charity helps people suffering from mental health issues integrate into the community by encouraging them to volunteer their gardening services in Bromley.

The 'Branching Out' group were at a gardening job in Crystal Park Road when someone offered them a cup of tea.

The all male team, aged 20 - 60, gratefully accepted but when returning to their unlocked van discovered someone had taken their petrol strimmer and hedge trimmer.

Davina Sellick, communications officer for the charity, said: "In a very short window of time the stuff was gone - it was very opportunistic.

"We have a caged van like a pick up, and the cage wasn't locked because the guys were taking stuff in and out.

"We should have locked it, but it was only 10 minutes.

"The equipment was right at the back of the van so they would have got right into the cage."

With the two key pieces of equipment worth several hundred pounds the charity is appealing to anyone who may have some old tools lying around.

She added that the thieves had neglected to take the battery pack for the trimmer, so would not be able to charge it.

A spokesman for the Met said: "Police were called following the theft of garden tools from a vehicle on Monday, 1 December between 1230 hours and 1525 hours at Crystal Palace Park Road.

"The vehicle was left parked and unlocked at the location and suspects have then removed the items.

"No suspects seen, no descriptions."

Can you help? Get in touch at community-options.org.uk