PLANT machinery worth more than £10,000 was stolen from a field in Christchurch.

The theft occurred in the Blackwater area at around 2am on Sunday morning (February 11) and saw a Yanmar SV15 digger with Nicholas Hire written on it and a Terex one-ton dumper taken.

PC Sebastian Haggett, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “An investigation is underway into this incident, with the theft of the stolen items valued at over £10,000.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Blackwater area around the relevant time, or have captured any footage to assist our enquiries, to please come forward.

“Also, I am issuing images of the stolen machinery and would ask anyone who has information about its whereabouts to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240021765. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.