Rural crime officers and the Wimborne Neighbourhood Policing Team have recovered more than £80,000 worth of stolen plant machinery.

The recovery of the machinery came after Dorset Police received a report at 8:35a.m yesterday (Tuesday, November 8) relating to the theft of plant machinery and power tools that were stored in a shipping container at a rural location in Cranborne.

Following enquiries, officers located two vans - which the police also believe have been stolen and on false plates.

A number of items of plant machinery including two ride-on mowers and a utility vehicle were located inside the vans, with a total value of more than £80,000.

Police have said that enquiries are ongoing to locate the remainder of the stolen property and identify those involved in the theft.

Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team sergeant, Natalie Skinner, said: "Thanks to a swift response by officers and the support of the Wimborne Neighbourhood Team, we have been able to recover these valuable items for the victim.

"We would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious vehicle movements in the area on the morning of Tuesday, November 8, 2022, or who has any information that might assist our enquiries, to please contact us," she concluded.