FIVE mini diggers stolen from Nottinghamshire were found in Bolton-upon-Dearne and Wath by police officers.
On November 16, an officer from the roads policing team acted on tracker alerts after reports that stolen diggers from Nottinghamshire were moving into South Yorkshire.
The officer located suspicious HGVs parked in the Wath and Bolton-upon-Dearne areas.
The HGV in Bolton-upon-Dearne was displaying false licence plates and the visible damage roused the officer’s suspicions.
After further inspection, the officer found three stolen mini diggers.
Inside a HGV in Wath, a further two diggers were found.
The police are now asking residents for their help.
A spokesperson said: “Organised crime involving the theft of plant machinery continues to impact farmers, rural communities and businesses across the country.
“We are committed to intercepting those who use the road network to carry out or transport their criminal gains.
“We are urging motorists to help us tackle crime and asking if you spot a vehicle with suspicious damage or irregularities, please report it to us.
“If you are a HGV driver, you have expertise of the vehicles and also an elevated position to see what other road users may not be able to view.
“The HGV that was used to covert the stolen machinery was displaying a ‘74’ registration plate but this could not have been genuine due to the condition of the vehicle.
“It also had its roof removed.
“This was to allow the diggers to fit in and the vehicle was visibly overweight.
“A HGV driver may have noticed the excavator arms of the diggers visible above the height of the vehicle.
“As our investigation into finding those responsible for the theft of the machinery continues, we’re asking anyone with information to get in touch.
“The HGV was parked with its curtains closed, as if the driver was sleeping, on Brookfields Way, Wath-upon-Dearne.
“Did you see this vehicle travelling between Nottingham and Rotherham on 16 November or see it arrive on Brookfields Way?
“If you believe you can help, please get in touch online, via live chat or by calling 101 quoting incident number 817 of November 16.
“The machinery has since been forensically examined and returned to its rightful owners.”
