Tree firm devastated as kit worth £500,000 stolen

Luke Chaisty feels police are "powerless" to prevent the thefts

A firm of tree specialists says it lost nearly £500,000 of equipment in a "devastating" theft.

Chainsaws, wood chippers and other machinery were taken during the raid at Oakwick Utility Arborists and a sister company, P&P Tree Services.

The company said it had invested £7,000 in security fencing just weeks before.

Police said some of the machinery had been recovered, but inquiries were "ongoing" to try to locate the rest.

Luke Chaisty, business development manager, said it was "frustrating, as well as devastating", because the loss of the equipment would disrupt their work and have an impact on insurance costs.

"It really is the lifeblood of our business, without it, we can't operate," he added.

"Rural crime is rife across the board," he said.

The firm was now having to "split resources between two teams with the hire equipment we've been able to cobble together".

The firm says it is paying hundreds of pounds a day for hire equipment

Speaking about the firm's recently installed security measures, Mr Chaisty said: "No matter what you put in place, they will get around it somehow. If they want something they'll take it."

He felt the police were "powerless" to prevent the thefts.

"These gangs are so organised, so well oiled and have done it so many times that by the time we even realise it's happened, the kit's halfway across the country or over the English Channel."

Some of the equipment was recovered after being abandoned in the countryside, but Mr Chaisty said it was little consolation.

"It's still devastating because the stuff we haven't managed to recover is the backbone of the business, that's what we use on a day-to-day basis.

"The fact that someone can go around, look at something and say, "I'll have that", is frustrating. It's awful."

Lincolnshire Police advised owners of machinery to mark property to make it easier for officers to identify stolen goods and make it harder for thieves to sell.

Officers also recommended making sure tools were locked away and registering property on the crime prevention website Immobilise.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices