Essex Police recover £200,000 of stolen farm vehicles
One man has been arrested on suspicion of theft
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.
Essex Police's 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, rural engagement officers seized or recovered 161 vehicles