1
May
2013
By Calvin at 16:16 GMT, 13 years ago
A Kyboto mini-digger, estimated to be worth approximately £19,000, was stolen from South Wales on Monday the 22nd of April and recovered by members of the Avon and Somerset Police Tactical Crime Unit (TCU) just 48 hours after it had disappeared.
The stolen digger was fitted with a commercial tracking device, which was activated by the manufacturer when it was reported stolen.
Using specialist software fitted in their Interceptor, officers from the TCU tracked the location of the stolen plant machinery to a shipping container on a plot of land in the Cheddar area in Somerset.
Officers also found other suspected items of stolen property including two John Dear sit-on mowers and a quad-bike worth an estimated total value of just under £30,000. The haul came during the Constabulary's Rogue Trader Day of Action.
All the items were seized by police while they continue their investigations. There weren't any arrests at the time but a local man is currently helping the police with their enquiries.
Chief Inspector Paul Mogg who oversees the TCU said: "We work with several commercial companies including "Tracker" who fit their products to all sorts of vehicles, machinery and plant. It gives us the capability to locate and return property to the owners and identify those who have either stolen the items or been involved in handling or selling stolen goods.
"This was a significant job and we have seized some valuable property. Buying or passing on stolen goods is an offence and you risk being arrested for handling. If a deal seems too good to be true, then it normally is."
Stuart Chapman, Police Relationships Manager for Tracker (UK)Ltd said: "TRACKER have worked for almost 20 years in partnership with all UK police forces. Our unique VHF tracking system means a hidden device in the stolen vehicle emits a signal that is picked up by police cars and helicopters equipped with our tracking technology, even if hidden in a shipping container.
"The thieves in this case would have been unaware that the Kubota plant equipment had our system installed, which allowed Avon and Somerset officer to locate it. This is an excellent recovery by Avon and Somerset and demonstrates the value of partnership working."
If you have information about criminal activity, you can report it through our website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or by calling 101.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.
Source Avon and Somerset Constabulary Newsroom: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=27362&t=4
Tracker's website: http://www.tracker.co.uk/
