IN APRIL 2008, the Courier reported an arson attack on the A377 at a layby near Copplestone where a road planer, worth £200,000 was destroyed.

The planer was being used for road surfacing but was attacked on April 8, 2008, when parked up for the night.

Crediton Police Sgt, Gareth Twigg, told the Courier: "Police inquiries have been continuing since that time.

"It is believed that the arson was part of a wider conspiracy and a group of men from Cornwall have been arrested and charged."

Dawn raids were conducted in Cornwall and three men have been charged with arson.

The police launched the operation to arrest the men in connection with alleged arson attacks on heavy plant machinery across Devon and Cornwall.

Arrests were made at JFL Harvey Ltd at Buckshead, Polwhele and at other addresses in Truro.

Three men were charged with arson, procuring criminal damage by arson and committing arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Jack Frederick Leonard Harvey (67) of Polwhele, Truro, Alan James Dunn (40) of Threemilestone, Truro and Allan Percy Peters (46) of Truro, appeared before Plymouth Magistrates' Court.

Two other people arrested were released on police bail until September.

The alleged offences took place across Devon and Cornwall between 2007 and 2009.

Police said the first alleged offence of arson happened in Axminster in 2007, and the series continued with suspected offences in Liskeard, Cornwall and Newton Abbot and Copplestone in Devon.

The most recent incident was said to have occurred in Camborne, Cornwall, in April 2009.

Officers said that investigations were ongoing into the seizure of suspected stolen plant and suspected controlled drugs as part of the operation.