Stolen diggers found in South Yorkshire after police intervention

HGVs in Wath and Bolton-Upon-Dearne were found to contain stolen machinery

One of the diggers found in the back of a lorry
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 2nd Dec 2025

Stolen mini diggers have been recovered in South Yorkshire after police used electronic trackers to find them inside several lorries.

The discovery was made on November 16 after officers located two suspicious HGVs parked separately in the Wath and Bolton-Upon-Dearne areas.

Closer inspection revealed false licence plates on the HGV in Bolton-Upon-Dearne.

Visible damage on this vehicle led to the discovery of three stolen mini diggers inside.

Meanwhile, two stolen diggers were also found within the HGV parked on Brookfields Way, Wath Upon Dearne.

Officers found the lorry had been modified to take the machinery, with its roof removed to make space for the diggers

Police believe signs such as excavator arms visible above the height of the vehicle could have been noticeable to fellow drivers.

The stolen machinery has now been forensically examined and returned to its owners.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen the suspicious HGV travelling between Nottingham and Rotherham or parked with its curtains closed on Brookfields Way to come forward.

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