Police have foiled an international criminal gang’s attempt to smuggle thousands of pounds of stolen equipment out of the country.
Specialist cops from Hampshire Constabulary’s commercial vehicles unit stopped a truck carrying two diggers worth £23,000 on the A34 outside Whitchurch earlier this month.
After background checks officers found the orange Hitachi EX30, and the Takeuchi TB125 were diggers stolen from two separate sites in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
The unit’s PC Ian Jackson said the truck driver was an unsuspecting part of the crime, and was not arrested.
“This isn’t a case of low-level criminals seizing an opportunity,” said PC Jackson. “These crimes are more often than not perpetrated by organised gangs with international links and demand in the foreign market.
“Considering that these diggers would fetch £8,000 and £15,000 each, it’s not surprising that this is big business, so we’re doing all we can to protect our rural communities from falling victim to this kind of criminal enterprise.”
The machines were being taken to Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port to be shipped to France.
According to PC Jackson, the Takeuchi had its engine ID plate removed, and the crooks had forged the last four digits of the machine’s unique serial number in a bid to hide its stolen origin.
Police said that rural Hampshire is regularly scoured by criminals looking to pinch specialist equipment such as diggers and tractors.
Each year the force recovers thousands of pounds of stolen agricultural and plant machinery every year.
“The theft of such equipment is nationally big business, with Hampshire’s more rural areas proving to be classic targets,” said PC Jackson, who urged owners to ensure any equipment is securely stored.
“The Construction and Agriculture Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR) is supported by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers and is an excellent way of safeguarding machinery of this nature.”
Hampshire Constabulary said they are working with Greater Manchester Police to trace the criminals behind the thefts.
