THE owner of a stolen stone crushing machine worth more than £150,000 believes it has been taken to Europe.

Thieves raided McKenna Plant Hire in Church Hanborough Road, Eynsham, and stole the mustard coloured 35-tonne, yellow C-10 Jaw Crusher machine, pictured, some time over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Owner Michael McKenna said the machine, which is seven years old, was used to crush concrete and brick for the construction industry.

He said: “It’s someone who knows the local area and they would have to have known how to operate this machine. There are a lot of levers to use and computers.

“It’s probably gone abroad, to Romania or Poland where there’s a boom in the construction industry.

“Someone must have seen it going up the A34, A40 or M40.”

“I think I’ll never see it again. I hold very little hope. It’s an item that has been stolen to order.”

Pc Tracy Frazer said: “I’m keen to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area between Friday and Tuesday, or anyone who has seen a low-loaded lorry carrying plant equipment near here.”

Anyone with information should call Pc Frazer on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.