Power tools believed to be worth more than £10,000 have been stolen from a farm in Coddington, Cheshire Constabulary has said.
The theft occurred sometime between 1:00a.m and 5:00a.m on Thursday (July 25), when unknown offenders broke into a vehicle parked outside the farm on Aldersey Lane.
Once inside the vehicle they stole a number of power tools believed to be worth more than £10,000.
The offenders also attempted to gain access to a container at the farm, but were unsuccessful.
Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone with any information or video footage which may aid the investigation.
DC Richard Connolley of Chester proactive policing team, said: “While I appreciate this incident occurred in a rural location, there may be residents in the local area who may be able to assist our enquiries.
“I’m particularly keen to hear from anyone with any CCTV footage which may show the offenders travelling to the scene.
“I’d also like to hear from anyone who believes they may have been offered any of the stolen tools, the majority of which were Makita branded items.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, or visit its website, quoting IML 1879001.
Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Rural crime
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) recently found a “large disparity” in rural crime team funding, with some UK rural crime teams receiving £900,000, and others £1,250.
CLA compiled Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from 20 police forces in the UK, having originally reached out to 36.
The findings also revealed that five forces have no rural crime team, with eight having less than 10 dedicated rural officers.
Lack of equipment is an issue for rural crime teams, with at least three forces without torches, six without automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR), three without drones and three with just one drone.
CLA said rural crime teams have to face a “postcode lottery” when it comes to funding.
While Cambridgeshire has a budget of £961,830, Leicestershire Police’s rural crime team receives £1,250, and Northamptonshire’s team receives no internal funding.
