SURREY Police is appealing for witnesses following a series of thefts in the Guildford and Tongham areas where large scale industrial equipment has been stolen.

The items taken over the last month, between November 22 and 26, have included vehicles such as an excavator worth in excess of £80,000, and small diggers worth up to £30,000 each.

The thefts have taken place in the early hours of the morning and involve the suspects using a dark pick up style truck with a small trailer to take away the small excavators on two occasions and a HGV with a flat-bed trailer on another occasion.

A police spokesman confirmed both Tongham incidents occurred on Oxenden Road, one on November 22 at around 5am, and the other on November 26, again at around 5am. In both cases, high value diggers were taken.

Investigating Officer, Police Constable Martin Borthwick said: “We would ask people to be vigilant and, if they see anything suspicious, to report these incidents as they are happening, in particular any large industrial plant vehicles being transported in the middle of the night or early hours of the morning.

“We would ask that industrial plant vehicles be stored as safely and securely as possible when not in use and particular care be taken when left overnight.

“We would also like to remind owners of these vehicles and any other expensive industrial machinery, to please make sure it has some kind of tracking device and you keep a record of all serial numbers.”

Anyone with information can contact the police, quoting crime reference number PR/45210123802, via:

* Webchat online at surrey.police.uk

* Calling 101

If you do not wish to leave your name, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.