STOLEN agricultural equipment from three rural Denbighshire farms has been returned to the owners.

Rural Crime Team police officers launched an investigation last October after £1,500 worth of gates were stolen from three separate farms in Mynydd Hiraethog on the Denbigh Moors.

The incident happened during the early hours of the morning on October 8 last year when a man driving an HGV stopped at each location, taking eight gates and four sheep hurdles.

Despite the rural and secluded location of the thefts, PCSO Iwan Owen located CCTV footage from a farm in the area, which led to the identification of the vehicle involved in the incident.

MORE: Former Denbigh pupil suffered ‘terribly tragic’ drug-related death

Following further investigations using ANPR and vehicle tracking equipment, a suspect from the Carmarthen area of South Wales was identified.

He admitted the offences and was granted a conditional caution.

The gates were recovered and have since been returned to their owners.

PCSO Iwan Owen said: “Crimes of this nature have such an impact on rural farmers.

“It’s not necessarily about the cost of replacing the equipment, but the impact and inconvenience it has on their livelihoods.

“I’m really pleased the gates were able to be returned to their owners, who were grateful to have them back.”