By Oliver Farrimond
CONSTRUCTION bosses have been left fuming after thieves made off with one of their £35,000 JCBs.
Criminals stole the 3CX Excavator from a road works site on a busy junction on the M8, in West Lothian, on Tuesday evening.
Police are currently looking at CCTV footage to try to catch the thieves, took the bright yellow vehicle between 6pm and 7.30pm.
The JCB, which belongs to Taylor Plant Hire, was carrying out essential maintenance, and is believed to have construction equipment on board.
Jason Taylor, director of the Gorebridge-based company, said: “It’s hard to say exactly what these people want with it – this is the first time this has happened to us.
“I suppose it’s possible that they want to ship it abroad to sell it, you do hear of that happening.”
A spokesperson for West Lothian police said: “Unfortunately the vehicle isn’t fitted with a tracker or anything similar, but we’re doing the best we can to try and track it down.
“It’s valued at around £35,000, and with the equipment we think is on board we’re looking at £40,000 worth of stolen equipment.
“It’s very cheeky to steal something like this from a motorway road works site.”
Anyone with information can contact West Lothian police on 01506 431 200 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
