Five stolen mini diggers have been recovered by South Yorkshire police amid a crackdown on organised plant machinery theft. The haul was uncovered following tracker alerts and reports of stolen equipment being transported into the region.
Tracked and Trapped: How Police Nabbed the Thieves
On 16 November, officers from the Roads Policing Proactive Team acted on tracker signals detecting stolen mini diggers moving from Nottinghamshire into South Yorkshire. Two suspicious HGVs were later found parked at separate locations in Wath and Bolton-upon-Dearne.
The lorry in Bolton-upon-Dearne had false number plates and visible damage. Inside, officers discovered three stolen mini diggers. Another two were recovered from the second HGV in Wath.
Dangerous Driving and A Dead Giveaway
The vehicle carrying the diggers was a nightmare on wheels. It bore a ‘74’ registration plate that didn’t match its condition, had its roof chopped off to fit the machines, and looked grossly overloaded. Police say other HGV drivers likely spotted excavator arms sticking out well above the vehicle’s height.
Officers urge motorists, especially truck drivers, to stay vigilant for suspicious vehicles with odd damage or irregularities. The HGV was last spotted parked with curtains closed on Brookfields Way, Wath upon Dearne. Police want witnesses who saw the vehicle travelling between Nottingham and Rotherham on 16 November to come forward.
Police Appeal: Report Suspicious Vehicles Now
The stolen diggers have been forensically examined and returned to their rightful owners. South Yorkshire Police are asking anyone with information to get in touch via their website, live chat, or by calling 101. Quote incident number 817 of 16 November 2025.
