A blitz on plant machinery theft will hit the Thames Valley over the festive period.

This week officers have been implementing Operation Shovel throughout Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

The operation will see officers stopping and checking any plant and farm vehicles found travelling after dark to ensure they have not been stolen.

They will also identify vehicles which they feel are vulnerable to theft and record their details to help with future identification.

Inspector Emily Roberts, who is leading Operation Shovel, said: “The South East has the highest instances of this type of theft in the country.

“Thieves are targeting the Thames Valley because it has large rural areas and good transport links, which means they can operate in isolated areas and get away quickly.

“In some cases the equipment is quickly transported to ferry ports. If it is moved on from there, it can be extremely difficult to track down.

“It is therefore essential that we address this problem close to home. Construction and farm workers need to be aware of the threat of theft and ensure that after use vehicles are securely locked and kept in a compound.”

From January 2009 to the end of September this year, there were 201 thefts of plant and farm machinery in the force area.

This figure represents six per cent of total thefts in the UK during that time.