Three new anti-graffiti machines which Basildon Council unveiled to a great fanfare have been stolen.
The Grimebuster pressure washers, which blast graffiti off walls and pavements, were taken from the council's depot in Barleylands Road, Billericay.
Thieves broke into the lock-up and loaded the three large machines onto some form of transport. Police say the machines are worth a total of £35,000.
Each machine has the distinctive Basildon District Council logo and a spokesman for the council said they are highly specialised equipment which would only be useful to other councils.
A spokesman for the council said: "The machines were insured and replacement equipment is on order. But we won't receive new machines until February."
Anyone with information should contact PC 1864 Tyndall at Laindon police on 01268 532212.
Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003
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