Published: Thursday, 23rd July, 2009 3:19pm

Thieves drive off with diggers

by Peter Swindon

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A digger similar to the model stolen

It's bright yellow, plods along at a top speed of 30mph and was last seen heading for Cowdenbeath.

A JCB is hardly the most inconspicuous getaway vehicle, yet thieves managed to break into a firm's yard on Monday evening and drive off into the night without trace.

Now police are calling on the public to help them recover the digger, and other plant equipment worth £40,000, which was stolen from GPL Skip Hire in Hillend on 20th July.

Thieves made off around 10 pm by driving the JCB digger, and a JCB mini-digger, across nearby fields in a northerly-direction heading for Cowdenbeath.

The JCB, registration T965ARM, has its front wheels filled with foam and some damage to the rear cabin window and front grill.

Steven Ogg, Garden Plan-It sales director, has urged anyone who may have seen the diggers to contact police.

He added, "It's not an easy task getting into our yard and they managed to drive through fields to get away."

Police Constable Stuart Birrell, who is leading the investigation, said, "These are valuable items of plant and we are asking anyone who saw these vehicles being driven away on Monday night or knows of their whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information can contact Fife police on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.