Police hunt vandals who torched and smashed ‘high-value’ plant machinery at Marchwood Aggregates Ltd, off Jacobs Gutter Lane

GLASS was smashed and equipment torched when vandals wrecked 10 pieces of “high-value” plant machinery in the early hours.

Offenders targeted Marchwood Aggregates Ltd, off Jacobs Gutter Lane, shortly after 1am on Wednesday.

An investigation has been launched, and an online post by local police said district policing team officers had attended the scene that morning.

New Forest East Insp. Tom Hannam said: “This was a very high-value act of criminal damage and our teams and officers will be continuing to work hard to find those responsible.

“Officers have been in the area this morning and will be continuing to make enquiries throughout the day, as well as carrying out reassurance patrols.

“If you see any of the team and have any information to share with them, which may assist in our investigation, please come over and speak to them. They’ll be happy to hear from you.”

People were urged to come forward if they witnessed the incident or saw any suspicious activity.

Officers are also keen to hear from those who may have taken any useful CCTV, dash cam, doorbell camera or mobile phone video footage.

Those with information should contact the force online at hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting reference 44240280209.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.