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.