POLICE are appealing for witnesses after the theft of heavy duty machinery today (July 27).

Officers at Suffolk Police were contacted following reports of a digger and accompanying machinery being stolen from Cavendish Road in Clare at around 5am.

The stolen property includes a Takeuchi TB216s mini digger, an Ifor Williams GH97 trailer and a hydraulic breaker.

Unconfirmed reports from social media suggest the digger's tracker said it could be across the county border in the Gestingthorpe area of north Essex.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "Suffolk Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of machinery from Clare in Suffolk this morning (Monday 27 July).

"Police were contacted today with reports that a Takiuchi TB216s digger, an Ifor Williams GH97 trailer and a hydraulic breaker had been stolen from Cavendish Road.

"It is believed that the theft occurred around 5am and that a vehicle is likely to have been used to transport the machinery away from the site.

"Anyone with any information about this incident or who saw anything suspicious at the time is asked to contact the Police, quoting CAD number 52 of today, Monday 27 July."

Detective Sgt Simon Sharp of Suffolk Police added: “This is a live investigation and officers are conducting enquiries to locate the stolen machinery.

"High value machinery is a target for opportunistic thieves and officers would advise anyone who owns or operates mini diggers to keep them secure when not in use.

"We would also ask that anyone who hears or sees any suspicious activity involving the potential theft of machinery to report this to their local police force or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”