Police in Ripon are appealing for information after a digger was stolen from a temporary construction site at Ripon bowling club.
Between Sunday lunchtime (23 October 2011) and 6.30am on Monday morning, thieves stole a 5 tonne JCB excavator from the site on Bondgate.
The digger is described as bright yellow with the company logo, ‘LEE HILL‘ written in white on a blue background.
PC Alister Wilson who is investigating the theft said:
The thieves would have needed a vehicle to transport the digger from the site, or would have made a lot of noise if they attempted to drive it away. I am appealing for anyone who either saw the theft take place, saw the digger in transit, or who knows the current whereabouts of the machine to contact us.
The vehicle is quite distinctive and we are urging anyone who is offered plant machinery for sale under dubious circumstances to contact North Yorkshire Police immediately. In particular, check for any patches where a company logo could have been painted over or removed.
Plant theft is big business at the moment and companies should be vigilant when it comes to crime prevention. We are determined to bring these criminals to justice and stop them from benefiting from their crimes.
Members of the public can help by reporting any suspicious behaviour or vehicles to the police or Crimestoppers.
Anyone with any information about the Ripon theft is asked to call PC Wilson on 0845 60 60 247, quoting reference 12110180352.
or, you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
