Police are appealing for information after farming equipment has been stolen in a series of burglaries on a St Albans estate.

The first incident took place between 2pm and 9pm on Saturday, January 12 when the criminals gained entry to a field on the Gorhambury Estate and stole an aluminium sheep handling system.

The piece of equipment is very large and would have needed a 4x4 vehicle with towing capabilities to remove it from the field. The crime number for this incident is: F2/14/46.

The second incident happened between 6pm on Saturday, January 12 and 3.15pm on Sunday, January 12 when thieves gained access to another field on the estate close to Maynes Farm House and stole an Ivor Willimam Four Wheel Electric Tipping Trailer. The crime number for this incident is: F2/14/48.

The third incident took place between 9.20pm and 9.50pm on Saturday, January 12 when criminals gained access to barns close to Westwick Hall Farm and stole an Ifor Williams 10ft Covered Stock trailer and a green Honda Quad Bike.

To remove both of these pieces of farming equipment, the thieves would have needed to load them onto a large trailer driven by a 4x4 vehicle. The crime number for this incident is: F2/14/51.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tony Kong, said: "We are doing everything we can to investigate these crimes and find the people responsible. Currently we are following a line of enquiry that the incidents are linked.

"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 citing the above crime reference numbers. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.