Crackdown on heavy machine theft

A single piece of equipment could cost up to £300,000, Kent Police said

A "major offensive" on thefts of heavy machinery has been launched in Kent.

Kent Police said specialist gangs were stealing valuable equipment from building sites, farms and lay-bys.

Det Insp Eddie Fox said gangs either see such thefts as a lucrative source of cash, or they use the equipment to raid cash machines.

"If you see a JCB on the move in the middle of the night, the chances are it's been stolen and about to be used to commit a crime," he added.

Heavy machinery included excavators, forklift trucks, grass cutters, tractors, generators, cement mixers and road breakers and a single piece of equipment could cost up to £300,000, he said.

He added: "There's rarely a legitimate reason for heavy machinery to be used outside working hours so I'm appealing to people to report anything that seems unusual or odd."

Cargo checks

Owners of heavy equipment were also urged to disable machines at the end of the day as a security precaution.

As part of the crackdown on machinery thefts, Kent police are urging both the industry and the public to be extra vigilant.

Officers have started visiting building sites and farms to offer crime prevention advice.

The force is also running late-night cargo checks on vehicles in targeted areas and strategic locations.

Additional police checks are also under way at the Channel Tunnel.

Heavy machinery owners, contractors and hirers can also obtain advice about security measures from Kent Police.