News Item: BBC Reports Twenty Charged Over £1m Digger Thefts
Twenty people have been charged in connection with the large-scale theft of plant hire machinery worth about £1m.
The 14 men and six women were all arrested in 2025 as part of an investigation by Cheshire Police into the theft of equipment – mainly mechanical diggers – from hire companies across the UK.
The force previously said the investigation involved an alleged conspiracy spanning from September 2020 to February 2025.
The allegations involved using false identities in order to hire out plant equipment “with no intent of ever returning the machines,” it added.
The reported thefts took place in Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Humberside, Hampshire, West Midlands, Hertfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Suffolk, Cornwall and Lincolnshire.
HAE EHA’s Mark Bradshaw spearheads the association’s efforts to combat crime in the equipment hire sector. He said, “It’s hard work getting people charged over this type of offence so massive thanks to all policing colleagues involved. Theft and fraud of hire equipment and tools continues to damage our sector and customers.
“Cheshire Police were supported by the national NCATT police unit who have been instrumental in working with local forces to tackle equipment theft. HAE is a financial donor supporting NCATT and we are delighted with their impact to date.”
The following suspects are set to appear in Chester Magistrates’ Court on 9th September:
Source: BBC News