THIEVES cut through a gate and moved a forklift truck to steal a horse trailer.

The gang struck at Lintzford Nurseries, on the border between County Durham and Gateshead, over the weekend.

After cutting the lock on the gate and forcing off the hinges, they tried to hot-wire a forklift truck.

When this failed, the crooks removed its forks and pushed the vehicle out of the way.

They cut through an anti-theft device fitted to the Ifor Williams trailer and hitched it to their vehicle and drove off.

The incident is the latest in a spate of half a dozen horse trailer thefts in Derwentside over the past few weeks.

Detectives believe the same gang could be responsible.

Acting Detective Sergeant Shaun Bailey, of Derwentside CID, said: "These people are targeting specific trailers and are going to extreme lengths to get them.

"So far, none of the stolen trailers has been recovered, so we would very much like to hear from anyone who has any information about them."

Anyone with information should contact acting Det Sgt Bailey at Consett police station, on (01207) 504204.