Stolen Dorset digger found 1,200 miles away in Poland

The Hitachi digger and JCB were taken from a development site in Ringwood Road, Ferndown, during the early hours of April 1. 

But officers from the Polish police force have tracked down the Hitachi digger in the Pruchnik area of Poland last month. 

The victim, an unnamed developer, said he has been “hit hard” since the theft but is “very pleased” the machine has been recovered. 

He added: “It is a testament to the work carried out by the police and hopefully serves as a reminder of the relentless work involved.  

“Even across country borders, stolen items can and will be tracked down.” 

Dorset Police worked with the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team, the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, Polish police and Interpol to track down the digger. 

Arrangements have been made for the digger to be shipped back to the UK and returned to its owner. 

Police constable Kate Schofield, of the rural crime team, said digger theft has a “significant impact” on victims and their businesses. 

She said: “Our investigation is ongoing to identify the offenders and hold them accountable for their organised offending.  

“We are also doing all we can to locate the second digger that was stolen during this incident. 

“We are continuing to liaise with the Polish police and Interpol to establish the full circumstances of the recovery of the digger. 

“We will endeavour to work with neighbouring police forces – and in this case forces overseas – to target those who affect our rural and construction communities.” 

Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, of the National Rural Crime unit, said: “This is one of many international machinery seizures made over the last 18 months. 

“It clearly demonstrates what we know – that international organised crime is targeting the UK farming and construction industries. 

“Whilst this is a good piece of police work by Dorset Police, NAVCIS and NCATT, the necessity for modern security on all machinery, vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity has never been greater.” 

David Sidwick

Police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said he has invested “heavily” in the rural crime team and added it’s “yet another example Dorset Police working ‘without borders’”. 

He added: “I urge farmers to use machinery marking kits which help authorities identify stolen items and get them back to the rightful owner.  

“My office recently funded £20,000 worth of marking kits for Dorset farmers, which are proven to reduce theft by up to 83 per cent.  

“Tackling crime is a collective effort and together, we will beat the gangs causing misery and profiting from criminality in our county and beyond. They don’t see borders and nor do the police.”