Three arrested after stolen farm equipment recovered in South Somerset

This was after police received intelligence as a result of a message sent out through the Farm Watch scheme.

High value trailers and other plant related equipment was stolen from Langport on Friday, August 20.

A message about the theft was sent out via the Farm Watch network, and police received a call on Monday, August 23, about suspicious activity in the Titinhull area.

They were told people were seen moving a trailer and a fuel bowser.

Avon and Somerset Police officers attended the scene, and recovered the stolen fuel bowser and another item of machinery.

On Wednesday, August 25, another call led officers to a site in Martock where further stolen items were found - including two tractors and a trailer.

Sgt Katie Maun, of the Somerton and Wincanton neighbourhood policing team, said: “This successful operation was a direct result of information being passed to the police from the public, which has resulted in a significant recovery of stolen property including three trailers, two tractors, two horse carts and a horse.

“Further items have been recovered which we believe may also have been stolen and we are releasing images of a Makita bag containing a variety of Makita power tools, with the initial’s ‘JC’ written on them, in a bid to identify the owners.

"If this property is yours, please call us.

“Teams from neighbourhood policing, rural affairs and intelligence were involved in this operation which has resulted in three arrests being made. A full investigation is well underway.

“This shows the true value of the Farm Watch scheme, which was set up to reduce rural crime and deter offenders, as well as improve the flow of information and intelligence between police and the farming communities and I hope it encourages even more people to join it.”

If you have any information on the suspected stolen items, call 101 with reference 5221191617.