POLICE in Hampshire are asking the public to keep an eye out for industrial machinery being moved at unusual times of the night, in a bid to stamp out a growing number of thefts across the county.

Last week three lorries were stolen from industrial estates in the Andover area and a fourth was later taken from Palestine.

Police are now advising companies to adopt security measures when the premises are left unattended, particularly ensu-ring keys are out of sight or in lockable cabinets.

But throughout Hamp-shire and the Isle of Wight an estimated £1 million worth of plant machinery including diggers, generators, dumper trucks, fork lift trucks and excavators, have also been stolen since 1 April.

Nearly all the thefts have taken place overnight from construction sites. Police say machinery of that size would need to be moved on large lorries. Officers are asking the public to keep an eye out for movement of this kind.

Police say businesses should ensure sites are secure overnight and make all machinery as secure as possible.

They should consider installing CCTV and engrave machinery with their postcode. Firms should also consider registering the machinery with the National Plant and Equipment Register, and record serial numbers of all machinery.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 045 4545.