TWO stolen diggers worth a total of �50,000 were recovered thanks to the suspicions of a lorry driver booked to haul them to Poland.

The driver had picked up the JCB vehicles from addresses in Corby and Wisbech.

However, when he checked, the documents did not match the vehicles. He phoned his manager in Poland who called in police.

Officers recovered both vehicles from the A1 at Stibbington. It was discovered they had been stolen from Thetford and Oakham. An investigation is now underway.

Sergeant Jo Reeves, from the Rural Community Action Team, said: “This case shows the importance of keeping plant vehicles on farms and building sites securely locked up and out of sight.

“If this lorry driver had not become suspicious the vehicles could have ended up hundreds of miles away. There are also many other crime prevention tools which people can use to protect their vehicles such as SmartWater or tracking devices.”

Sergeant Tracey Willetts, from Oakham Police Station, added: “It is great that the lorry driver, who spoke almost no English, took the time to check that his load matched the paperwork and then acted upon it when he realised it didn’t.

“As a result of his actions the farmer in Rutland is very happy to know his vehicle has been found. We’d urge all lorry drivers who are booked to pick up and deliver agricultural plant or vehicles to check the paperwork thoroughly before setting off.”