Tree specialists' appeal after losing £500,000 of equipment in burglary

Oakwick Utility Arborists and P&P Tree Services put out an appeal for witnesses and information after the break in at their yard on Star Fen in Heckington on Friday, November 21.

Urgently seeking help via social media they said it was a major theft involving over £500,000 worth of plant machinery, trailers and equipment.

Stolen items included a Manitou telehandler, Forst wood chippers, a Robo-mulcher, Ifor Williams trailers, multiple chainsaws, blowers and other equipment.

A Lincolnshire Police have said the plant machinery and trailers have since been recovered from East Heckington and returned to the owner, but added that “inquiries are ongoing” as some items were still missing.

Oakwick said: “This is the third time in a month we’ve been hit. We’re devastated, and we’re asking our community, colleagues, clients and friends to help us find the people responsible and to prevent further incidents in our area.”

This was despite only recently investing thousands of pounds in upgraded security.

They added: “If you were in or around Star Fen, Heckington on Friday (November) 21 and saw anything unusual, if you drove past with a dash-cam, or if you have CCTV or doorbell footage that may have captured suspicious activity, please contact us. Even the smallest detail could be vital. All information will be treated in confidence.”

The theft has caused great inconvenience to the businesses as they have had to hired equipment in the meantime to carry on with jobs.

The firm appealed to people to keep an eye on local yards, lay-bys, farm tracks and outbuildings for parked or abandoned equipment; be wary of cheap, cash sales or ads for the items listed, especially if the seller cannot provide proof of ownership; and share this appeal widely to help reach as many people as possible. Do not approach anyone you suspect may be involved, report it to police on 101 quoting incident 170 of November 22.