Police conducting a roadside operation have seized thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods.

Officers were using an automatic number plate recognition system in the Forest on Friday to try and catch criminals on the road - especially those involved in drugs or metal theft.

A stolen digger worth £16,000 was seized at Minsterworth where police had set up a base at the village hall.

Officers also targeted roads near Highnam Woods.

The driver who was towing the digger on a trailer was not arrested as he was not believed to have any connection with the stolen item.

The machinery will be reunited with its owner as soon as possible and police expect the find will lead to arrests.

From the 75 vehicles that were stopped overall, two vehicles were seized for having no insurance and another two for having no tax.

One person was cautioned for possession of drugs.

Forest Inspector Jason Keates said: "The digger was identified in Minsterworth by the National Plant and Equipment Register.

"They had two examiners on site and even though attempts had been made to disguise the identificaton marks they managed to identify it.

"I hope this sends out a message to criminals travelling across the Forest that we are determined to catch them and disrupt their activity.

"The local community can be confident we will continue running these operations, which are a very effective way of detecting motoring offences and other criminality."