TWO men have been arrested after a digger was stolen in North Dorset – this comes after Dorset Police made an appeal to the public for information.

An investigation was launched by Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team following the reported theft of a Yanmar B08 mini digger-excavator from a secured barn in Bishops Caundle, near Sherborne between the evening of Monday March 14 and the morning of Tuesday March 15.

Read more: Mini digger worth £10k stolen from barn in Bishops Caundle

Following enquiries, officers liaised with colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police and it was reported that a vehicle linked to the offence had been located in Somerset.

Enquiries were carried out at two addresses in the Yeovil area on March 22. Two local men – aged 25 and 30 – were arrested on suspicion of theft, they have now been released under investigation.

Police Constable Scott Williams, of Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team, said: “We recognise the impact of reported thefts of this nature on our rural communities and we are committed to doing all we can to investigate these matters.

“This case is a demonstration of how we will work jointly with colleagues in other forces to share information and take decisive action when suspected offenders are identified.

“I would like to thank our colleagues in Avon and Somerset for their support in this enquiry and we will continue to liaise with them as the investigation continues.”

Officers are still making enquiries to locate the digger that was reportedly stolen, a yellow and blue Yanmar mini digger.

Sergeant Katie Maun, of Avon and Somerset Police's Rural Affairs Unit, said: “This is a prime example of working with our colleagues cross-border to tackle rural crime and we’ll continue to support in any way we can as this investigation progresses.

"We need to work together to target those who prey on our rural communities through intelligence sharing and joining up on proactive operations whenever possible.”

Anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of the digger or any other details that might assist the investigation can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220042722. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.