Police in Moray have made three arrests in connection with a series of agricultural equipment thefts with a total value of around £80,000.
The arrests of local men aged 37, 38 and 55 followed a raid at Tullochallum Farm near Dufftown where a large number of stolen items were discovered including two tractors, seven quad bikes and a mechanical digger.
Community investigation team member Constable Peter Campbell confirmed the arrests and that a report would now be made to the Procurator Fiscal. He said: “Following inquiries earlier this year at a farm in the Moray area a large number of tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles previously reported stolen were discovered.
“I would like to take this opportunity to urge all farm managers and owners to secure their property and equipment.
“In addition, I would also ask that any suspicious behaviour or suspicious vehicles be reported to police as soon as possible.”
The farm where the property was found is owned by the Crown Estate and leased to tenant farmers.
A large team of officers is understood to have been involved in the early morning raid which also uncovered many other pieces of agricultural equipment including trailers, bale shredders and rollers which had been reported as stolen from a number of farms across the region over several years.