Farming equipment was stolen in three separate thefts from Gorhambury in St Albans at the weekend.

An aluminium sheep handling system was stolen from a field on the Gorhambury Estate, owned by the Earl of Verulam, in the first theft which occurred between 2pm and 9pm on Saturday (11) Police believe the thieves would have needed a 4x4 vehicle to tow it from the field because of its size.

The second theft took place between 6pm on the Saturday and 3.15pm on Sunday when an Ifor Williams four wheel electric tipping trailer was stolen from another field on the estate close to Maynes Farm House.

And the third theft between 9.20pm and 9.50pm on the Saturday was close to Westwick Hall Farm where an Ifor Williams 10ft covered stock trailer and a green Honda quad bike were taken. Again the police believe that the thieves would have needed a large trailer driven by a 4x4 vehicle.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tony Kong, said police believed the incident were linked.

He said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area in the days running up to the weekend, and the days when the offences took place, and saw any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area that were out of the ordinary.

“I’d also like to speak to anyone who may have been offered for sale any pieces of farming equipment that seem similar to those that have been stolen. Any information you can provide, no matter how small, could significantly help with my enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the non-emergency numbers 101 or Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.