Thieves steal machinery worth £40,000

A Welsh farming contractor has been forced to cancel work at one of his busiest times of year after thieves stole machinery worth £40,000.

Ivor James lost two Massey Ferguson tractors, a disc mower, a post knocker and a bale grab taken from a field in Hundred House near Builth Wells, Powys on 26 May.

The thieves also took a muckspreader and £600 worth of tools, all of which had been locked away.

The robbery has left Mr James and his son, Daniel, without any equipment to be able to carry out work on other farms.

“The machinery was locked up, but they broke in and loaded all the machinery into the muck spreader before driving off,” said Mr James.

“They were seen driving down the road about 15 miles away.

“We’ve had nothing from our insurance yet and we are finding it to carry on our business.

“We have no machinery left, virtually the whole lot has gone and we have had to turn down jobs.

“We turned down 60 acres of mowing this week – it’s getting to our busiest time of year so it’s a real worry.”

Det Insp Martin Tavener of Dyfed-Powys Police said the stolen machinery was easily identifiable and would be difficult to sell on.

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Mr James on 01982 570 200.