Two men have been arrested after being apprehended in Amersham for allegedly trying to steal more than £250,000 worth of plant hire equipment.

Plant hire specialists H.E Services confirmed to the Bucks Free Press that on October 4 they received a call from an existing customer.

Adrian Holmes, hire manager at the H. E. Services Depot at Cambridge said: “It appeared to be a very genuine hire for an existing customer who had an account.

“They even sent us through an official order from the regular person who hires in plant and equipment.”

The company then carried out cross checks which had been implemented to prevent the equipment being stolen by fraudulent hires.

After these checks were made, depot manager Chris Larcom confirmed that the order “appeared suspicious”, despite being made through a legitimate construction company, using the name of a plant buyers and providing an official order.

When the two man who had placed the order arrived at a building site on Amersham Road – they were arrested.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said to the Bucks Free Press: “I can confirm that officers attended at around 3pm on Friday (October 4).

“A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped for theft of a motor vehicle, fraud by false representation and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

“He was released on bail until November 1.

“A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft of a motor vehicle, going quipped for theft of a motor vehicle and fraud by false representation.

“He has been released on bail until November 1.”