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Dr Feelgood's stolen tour van found in warehouse

Phil Mitchell/Facebook Phil Mitchell. He is wearing a suit while playing a blue electric guitarPhil Mitchell/Facebook
Phil Mitchell, the bassist for the popular 1970s band Dr Feelgood

Rock band Dr Feelgood have announced their stolen tour van, full of £20,000 of equipment, has been found.

The theft took place outside bassist Phil Mitchell's home in Hockley, Essex, between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Police said they found a "vehicle chop shop" when called to a disturbance in Tolleshunt D'Arcy on Wednesday evening.

The band said "the bulk" of the gear was found and thanked Essex Police for conducting an "outstanding operation".

Mitchell, 71, previously said his bass guitar bought when he was just 17 was among the items taken.

"It leaves you feeling a bit violated when it happens at your home," he added.

Dr Feelgood The Mercedes Sprinter van. It is parked on a drivewayDr Feelgood
The band thanked the public for making the van "too hot too handle"

A spokesperson for Essex Police previously estimated the total loss was about £70,000, including the van and associated work carried out on it.

Among the items stolen was a Fender Telecaster guitar, made in Japan, and a Fender Precision Bass 1970 with the serial number 295309.

Amplifiers, drum equipment and other kit had all been listed by the band on Facebook .

In a Facebook statement the band said: "It is highly likely that the incredible level of publicity and awareness produced by everyone who responded to our appeals to share our posts regarding this heartbreaking theft, may well have rendered the equipment 'just too hot to handle' for the time being."

They thanked the public for their support.

Essex Police Equipment belonging to Dr FeelgoodEssex Police
PC Paul Gerrish said he was pleased to reunite the band with the equipment

The popular group, formed in 1971, have had to rent a new van and equipment ahead of their Germany tour next week.

The Mercedes Sprinter van had been used by the band for getting to gigs for the past decade.

PC Paul Gerrish, of Essex Police's stolen vehicle intelligence unit, said: "I know that the band are due to start a tour of Germany and without us finding the kit, I know it would have severely affected their plans.

"It was the presence of the equipment, which was clearly of value, which allowed us to make the quick connection.

"We know that it is quite often the personal possessions in a vehicle, which cannot be replaced, which are far more valuable to people than the vehicle itself so I'm really happy that we'll be able to reunite the equipment with the band."

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