'Aladdin's cave' of £500,000 worth of stolen hardware recovered in Dorset
Two men have been arrested as police try to reunite victims with their belongings
Police have recovered an 'Aladdin's cave' of stolen farm machinery and are reuniting victims with their belongings.
Over 200 items worth over £500,000 were recovered as part of Dorset Police's 'Operation Hardware' last month.
Operation Hardware took place on Tuesday 14 June 2022. A wide area search was conducted with officers from both forces at two rural locations in East Dorset. Several stolen vehicles from Dorset and Essex were located and seized, as well as plant and agricultural machinery. A vehicle identification number (VIN) making machine was also recovered and seized.
Sergeant Lee Turner said:
"It all came about over a vehicle that was believed to be operating on fake number plates. With some detective work we managed to locate the vehicle, we then carried out an arrest enquiry, got an emergency warrant and then located what can only be described as an Aladdin's Cave of stolen property across two sites.
"We found a number of stolen vehicles and we also then discovered a Vehicle Identification Number printing machine so there was some quite sophisticated theft and handling going on.
"One of the victims had their classic vehicle stolen, and it's the sentimental value. Other people require the quad bikes or the plant machinery or the chainsaws to be able to go and carry out their work. To be able to give them back their stolen property is really rewarding."
A 21-year-old man from East Dorset was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft and handling stolen goods. While an 82-year-old man, also from East Dorset, was arrested on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods. They have both been released under investigation.
Dorset Police is now reuniting the victims with their stolen goods. The force has collated all of the items they believe were stolen on a website for people who think they may have lost tools. You can find it here. www.dorset.pnn.police.uk/OpHardware
Scott Ormston is one of the victims. Some of his machinery which is vital to his business was taken. Greatest Hits Radio spoke to him as it was returned to him. He said:
"It kind of put the stop on the sale of our machines for about 7 months. Basically we couldn't sell machines.
"It's good the police has actually managed to find it. It's great that it's actually here, I'm quite chuffed to see it again."
Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said:
"This is why I put as a priority 'Fight Rural Crime' into the Crime Plan. This is why I agreed with the Chief Constable we would significantly invest in the Rural Crime Team who have gone from three officers to 15 personnel.
"This is a huge win. Nearly half a million pounds worth of rural and industrial equipment has been liberated. This says a number of things. 1) that investment is now working in Dorset, it says the importance of reporting and a third thing, there is actually an opportunity to give back to victims the items that have been stolen.
"This is a win all round."