Thieves use moped to drag away 200lb machinery following Northampton break-in

Thieves rode off on a moped dragging a stolen wacker plate behind them after a break-in in Northampton.

Detectives say two offenders took the machine — which weighs around 200lbs — after forcing their way into a van in Southampton Road on Sunday May 31.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "Two offenders riding a black moped broke into a van at about 9.30pm and stole a wacker plate.

"They rode off dragging the machine behind them."

Wacker plates have large metal baseplates and are used in the construction industry. The heavy plates vibrate to compact ballast and flatten tarmac when paving roads.

Southampton Road connects London Road, Delapre, with Towcester Road in the Far Cotton area of the town.

The spokesman added: "The two offenders are described as young males wearing all black clothing, although one had a florescent green crash helmet.

"If anyone has any information would could help us or saw anything in the Southampton Road area at the time of this incident, please call lus on 101 using reference number 20000275651."

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