Rural engagement officers recover £200,000 of stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery

Rural engagement officers have recovered stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery, valued at around £200,000, from a premises in Hockley.

All except one of the seven items they recovered had been stolen from farms and businesses across Essex in the past 12 months.

A 26-year-old Hockley man arrested on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods on 28 December 2023 has been released under investigation while our officers make further inquiries.

The telehandler, excavator, quad bike, industrial water bowser & pressure washer, twin-axle trailer and two dumper trucks will now be returned to their owners.

Our Rural Engagement Team works with the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) to investigate the theft of agricultural machinery and equipment from farms and rural businesses.

Just last month, they recovered a telehandler and a van following an operation to detect stolen agricultural machinery being exported through Harwich International Port, inspecting and searching more than 100 lorries waiting to board North Sea ferries.

They also took the opportunity to speak to drivers about vehicle security and keeping their loads safe.

That operation saw the recovery of a £40,000 Manitou telehandler and a van.

In all, during 2023, our rural engagement officers seized or recovered 161 vehicles.

Our Rural Engagement Team

Our rural engagement officers provide specialist help and advice to tackle wildlife crimes, such as hare coursing, as well as heritage crimes affecting historic sites and buildings, thefts of agricultural machinery, large-scale organised fly-tipping and unauthorised encampments.

And they also liaise with partner agencies to take enforcement action against those who breach legislation and to tackle specific rural issues through proactive operations.

Visit our rural crime webpages for specific crime prevention advice. You can also find out about our Farm and Rural Watch scheme.

Anyone who experiences or who has information about crime or anti-social behaviour, should ring 999 if it’s an emergency or a crime in progress.

Otherwise you can report it online where you can also provide information directly to an online Live Chat operator on weekdays (excluding bank holidays) between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.

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