Satellite tracking recovers JCB digger in Europe

A JCB digger stolen in Durham has been recovered in the Netherlands using its satellite tracking device.

The £50,000 machine enjoyed a journey around the UK and Europe before it was found in a police operation involving English, Dutch and German officers.

Police said the digger was stolen from Cemex UK last month, journeyed around the UK before resurfacing in the Netherlands after a quick trip to Germany.

Police said eight days after the theft, the tracking device pinpointed the digger in Middlesbrough, but four days later it was Lancashire, then the next day in Humberside.

Security then lost the signal – picking it up in the Netherlands after a quick trip to Germany.

According to the Times, two men were arrested who are believed to be part of an international group stealing machinery from Britain and selling it on a European black market.