RURAL engagement officers have returned more than £80,000 of stolen machinery to its owners after locating it on a Nazeing industrial estate.

Acting on intelligence received, officers from the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team visited the estate this morning, Tuesday 5 March, and located more than £80,000 of plant, including seven disc-cutters, a wacker plate, three breakers and a Leica rotating laser scanner in one of the units.

PC Joe McCarthy says: “The machinery was stolen from several businesses in Kent around a year ago.

“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.”

Our investigation is continuing.

For more information about the work of the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team and specialist crime prevention advice, visit www.essex.police.uk/ruralcrime