Thieves broke into a council depot and drove away with about �60,000 worth of machinery.Police are appealing for information following the break-in at the South Norfolk District Council site, in Station Lane, Ketteringham.

THIEVES broke into a council depot and drove away with about �60,000 worth of machinery.

Police are appealing for information following the break-in at the South Norfolk District Council site, in Station Lane, Ketteringham.

The burglary happened between 22.30pm on Tuesday, August 10 and 3.30am on Wednesday, August 11 at the depot near Wymondham.

The offenders broke into the depot grounds by cutting through a fence and made off with about 40 lorry tyres, diesel generator, wood chipper, pressure washer, welder, hedge cutters, tools and Ford Ranger 4x4.

The depot is used to store the council's refuse trucks and its grounds maintenance equipment and tools.

District councillor Robert Savage, cabinet member for communities and recycling, called it a crime against the whole community.

He said: 'At a cost of around �60,000 this is a serious crime, not just against the council but against the whole community.

'We have a number of security measures in place including CCTV, but these people broke into a neighbouring site and drove 50 yards to gain access to the side of our compound.

'The police are currently working with us to analyse the CCTV footage of both ours and our neighbouring site and we are hopeful that we will recover at least some of the property.

'We are now undertaking a full review of our security measures.

'Until we are able to replace all the equipment there will be come impacr on what we can do, but staff still have enough tools to do a full day's work and all services will be maintained.'

Contact Hethersett and Mulbarton Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.