POLICE hope members of the public can help them trace a large-scale industrial machine worth £50,000 stolen from a Brierley Hill haulage yard.

The 68-foot red Trommel cutting machine - which is used to separate soil from rocks - was located at MVC Haulage on Moor Street but arrangements were made for it to be moved to another yard where the theft was later located.

Detectives investigating the incident say the machine could only have been moved with use of a low-loader due to its size and weight.

Detective Constable Rob Priest, from the local priority team at Dudley, said: "This is a very distinctive piece of specialist machinery and we are hoping someone somewhere will know its location.

“The machine is used to separate soil from rocks and can only be operated by trained staff.

"We are continuing our investigations and we have liaised with auctioneers and businesses across the country to make them aware of the recent theft and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen it being moved.”

The machine is believed to have been stolen sometime between Friday October 19 and Monday October 29 from its Moor Street base.

Wtinesses or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.