SURVEY equipment worth more than £15,000 was taken from the side of the road. 

The equipment was being used to carry out specialist survey work between October 24 and November 1, but was taken from the side of the road. 

The three items - two Leica TS16 and a Leica LC60 surveying units – were all tripod- mounted.

It is believed that the equipment was taken as a vehicle pulled up on a building site near Junction 23 of the M5 (Bridgwater), when a passenger got out of the car and took the equipment at around 3pm on October 24. 

The following day equipment was taken from the Isleport Lane area of Highbridge at around 9.15am in similar circumstances. 

The same thing happened again on Wednesday (Nov 1) at around 1pm at a building site on Bath Road, Bridgwater. The equipment was taken despite being challenged by workers. 

The car drove off towards J22 of the motorway. 

Avon and Somerset Police is now appealing for information about the incidents and wants to know if anyone has been offered the equipment. 

The force also wants to know if anyone has had similar equipment taken. 

To help call 101 quoting reference number 5217243408, 5217243408 or 5217249688. 

A spokesman said: "We would urge local construction companies and staff to be aware of these recent incidents and to ensure that they safeguard their equipment and do not leave it unsupervised."