POLICE have launched a dashcam footage appeal after £100,000 worth of roadwork equipment, including a 28-tonne loader, was stolen at the weekend.

A white King 28-tonne loader and trailer, with the registration AT04 RST, was stolen from a compound at Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington between Friday (June 21) afternoon and Sunday (June 23) morning. 

A white 50-tonne cement silo, orange JCB generator and white fuel tank containing red diesel, was also taken.

It is believed suspects cut a lock and chain from compound gates, gaining entry to the site near the A167 Darlington to Northallerton road. 

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "The equipment, which was all new, has a total value of around £100,000. Extensive police enquiries are now underway to locate it.

"The low loader would have been driven away, possibly in daylight hours – so officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have relevant dashcam footage recorded in the area between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning."

PC Rob Davies of North Yorkshire Police's rural taskforce team issued a warning to owners of building sites and rural compounds. 

He said: "I am appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Dalton-on-Tees area around the time of the theft, or knows where the stolen equipment might be, to get in touch.

"By their nature, building sites and compounds in rural areas are vulnerable and attractive targets for criminals.

“That means it’s really important to take extra security measures. Wherever possible, keep vehicles, plant and power tools in a secure and well-lit area, preferably a garage or outbuilding. Consider CCTV, fuel cap alarms, cages and other security measures.

“Even simple techniques like ‘defensive parking’ – parking vehicles against solid objects on the fuel tank side to prevent access – can have a strong deterrent effect."

  • Anyone with information is urged to contact the force on 101 and quote 12190113472.