THE Essex Police Rural Engagement Team has been busy helping to keep the county’s 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, rural engagement officers recovered 68 stolen vehicles and seized 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, RET 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 the county’s 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.”
Find out more about rural crime, crime prevention advice and how to protect heavy machinery, visit the Essex Police Rural Crime pages: https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime
For more advice on steps you can take to protect your vehicle, visit the Essex Police vehicle crime prevention page: https://www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe
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