Three men are due to appear in court following the theft of £100,000 of agricultural equipment near Otley.

A stolen trailer was recovered from an auction house in Shropshire after inquiries by the Otley-based North West Outer Neighbourhood Policing Team following the theft in December.

In January officers mounted an operation with other police forces and executed search warrants in Lancashire.

Three men were arrested over the theft of £300,000 of equipment and perverting the course of justice.

A 47-year-old man, of Carnforth, near Lancaster, has been charged with the theft of a tractor and trailer, handling a stolen tractor and perverting the course of justice.

A man, 25, of Burton-in-Lonsdale, Lancashire, has been charged with the theft of a tractor and trailer, handling a two stolen tractors and a lift-truck, and perverting the course of justice.

And a man, 37, of Halton, Lancashire, has been reported for summons in relation to offences of handling stolen goods.

Officers say that high-value farming equipment is targeted by thieves and should be properly protected.

They are also warning people in the farming community to be on the lookout for anyone trying to take details from tractor Vehicle Idenfication Number (VIN) plates. Sergeant Neil Perkis, of the North West Outer NPT, said: “People should be wary of anyone they see trying to check vehicle details on their property. They should make a note of their description and vehicle registration number and contact the police either directly or via the Farm Watch scheme.

“Anyone buying a tractor new from a dealership should consider getting it fitted with a tracking device which will assist the police in locating their vehicle if it is stolen.

“Those buying second-hand should buy from a reputable dealer that they know and check all the vehicle identification numbers, including those on the engine and chassis.

“They should also be wary of a new-looking VIN plate that does not match the condition of the tractor.”