THOUSANDS of dollars-worth of damage was inflicted on two diggers broken into at a Midway Beach work site at the weekend.

Batteries were stolen and petrol siphoned from the tanks of machines, said Fulton Hogan contracting manager Derek Watson.

Mr Watson said significant damage was caused to both machines in the process of the batteries being removed and could cost up to $3000 to repair.

Mr Watson was “disappointed” this kind of theft happened from time to time — “people seem to see us as a big target”.

“We’re trying to do our best for the community and this is what happens.”

The theft is believed to have occurred on Sunday night and has been reported to police.

Fulton Hogan contractors had been working through the weekend to repair the city’s cracked sewer pipe. The work has closed off a Midway Beach carpark since Friday and work should be finished by tomorrow.

The pipe breakage appeared to have been caused by degradation due to hydrogen sulphide, which is common in rising mains and is monitored by Gisborne District Council — this one had deteriorated quicker than anticipated.