Rural engagement officers seize more than 100 vehicles so far this year

Our Rural Engagement Team has been busy helping to keep our rural roads safe by seizing uninsured vehicles and recovering stolen vehicles.

Sergeant Ben Felton says:

“Our officers are out every day helping to improve road safety in Essex, by keeping speeds down, taking uninsured vehicles off our roads, and seeking to recover stolen property.”

Between 1 January and 31 August this year, our rural engagement officers recovered 68 stolen vehicles and seized another 42 for not being insured – a total of 110 in eight months.

Many of the stolen vehicles were tracked down following an investigation and recovered.

However, sometimes policing instinct plays its part. Just last week, officers were patrolling in rural Chelmsford when they noticed a digger parked in an odd place.

Although it hadn’t been reported stolen, the officers suspected it was and remained with it while they made some inquiries. It was reported stolen from the Epping Forest District by the owner while officers were still on scene.

During their inquiries, they also recovered a stolen Ford Fiesta with false number plates.

Ben says:

“We take all reports of stolen vehicles seriously because we know thefts can leave people in rural communities isolated or unable to get to work.
“And, of course, the loss of agricultural and construction vehicles and plant can have a devastating impact on a business or a farm. It’s not just the cost of replacement but their ability to continue working in the meantime.”

The Rural Engagement Team regularly patrols our rural road network and officers carry out road safety speed checks while they are doing so.

If uninsured vehicles are identified during these checks, or for any other reason, they can be seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Ben adds:

“We take rural road safety very seriously. Uninsured driving has strong links to other driving offences, such as unroadworthy vehicles, speeding and drink- and drug-driving.
“The team conducts regular speed checks in villages across the county to discourage drivers who are tempted to speed and, where we identify excessive speed or an uninsured vehicle, we will take action to keep other road-users safe.”

• For more advice on steps you can take to protect your vehicle, visit our vehicle crime prevention page.

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, here you can also provide information directly to an online Live Chat operator between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.

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

Our Rural Engagement Team have an understanding about how a rural community works.They investigate crimes like theft of agricultural vehicles and technical equipment and hare coursing. The team also work to prevent and deter rural crime too. 

Working with partner agencies, they take enforcement action against those who are intent on causing harm to our rural communities. 

For more about rural crime and advice on how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim, please visit our rural crime page.