Stolen farm equipment worth £80k recovered in Essex
7th March 2024
Rural engagement officers from Essex have returned more than £80,000 of stolen machinery and equipment after a tip-off directing the authorities to a Nazeing industrial estate.
While visiting the estate on Tuesday morning, 5th March, officers located more than £80,000 of stolen machinery and equipment – including seven disc-cutters, a wacker plate, three breakers, and a Leica rotating laser scanner in one of the units.
PC Joe McCarthy confirmed that the machinery was stolen from several businesses in Kent around a year ago.
Extremely expensive and disruptive
PC McCarthy said: “The owner of the unit where we located the machinery is not a suspect, as he only took over the business recently. Happily, we have already been able to trace most of the owners and arrange to return their machinery.
“The theft of agricultural and construction equipment is extremely expensive and disruptive to businesses. Not only can insurance premiums rise as a result, machinery is costly to replace, and the business can be harmed by delays. There may also be additional costs to repair damage caused by thieves.
“So, I would urge anyone who knows anything about the theft of agricultural or construction equipment or, indeed, any crime or criminal activity to report it to us so we can target our operational activity.
“And please, if you own such equipment, consider forensic marking, to make it harder to sell and easier to return.”
Essex Police’s investigation is continuing.
READ MORE: Rural crime team recovered £100,000-worth of stolen property in just five months
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