Thieves have hit a construction firm in Emneth, stealing up to £20,000 worth of equipment.

Cambs Times: Thousands of pounds worth of equipment - including a six-tonne cement breaker - has been stolen from Emneth Construction.Thousands of pounds worth of equipment - including a six-tonne cement breaker - has been stolen from Emneth Construction. (Image: Copyright 1,1999)

The Emneth Construction yard on Lady’s Drove was targeted during the night on Tuesday January 3, with four trailers and a six-tonne cement breaker – which can cost up to £6,000 – stolen.

The thieves cut through a bolt to gain entry to the yard of the business - that has been operating in Fenland for 40 years - and company secretary, Linda Chilvers, believes those who stole the equipment could have made up to four trips to the yard during the raid.

“We’ve got a gate but they cut through the bolt,” she said.

“People nearby said they heard a vehicle reversing and we think it could have made four trips to and from the yard.

“We’ve had stuff touched when we’re out on jobs but nothing on this scale.

“It affects business massively – we had a job in Peterborough where we were going to use the cement breaker but we’ve had to rent another one.”

The culprits are yet to be caught, and there is no video footage of the break-in as the company is in the process of having CCTV cameras fitted.

“We should have had the CCTV man come and fit it before Christmas – all the cables were there – but he’s had to go to other jobs because of all the crime in the area recently,” added Mrs Chilvers.

“The amount of thefts in the area is unbelievable.

“We’re looking at £15,000 to £20,000 worth of equipment that has been taken. Obviously we have insurance but we simply can’t afford to replace all of it.”

The firm took to Facebook to appeal for information on the morning after the crime, saying “Unfortunately, bottom feeders of society have struck at our yard last night.

“[Thieves] broke in and stolen four trailers, a six tonne digger concrete breaker, Ifor Williams trailer which will have to have identifications grinded off, two small plant trailers and a small tipper trailer.

“Obviously an organised hit with numerous vehicles and people to lift the heavy concrete breaker up by hand.

“Please share and any information will be greatly appreciated, they can’t have gone far.”

Police are now dealing with the incident, and a Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said: “We can confirm the incident was reported this morning and several trailers were taken after forced entry.”

Emneth Construction are a family run business with over 40 years experience in the civil engineering and construction industry, according to its website.