South Rural Task Force Recovers High-Value Stolen Plant Machinery

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This week, South Rural Task Force and officers from National Construction & Agriculture Theft Team have been out recovering high value stolen plant machinery across the West Lancashire and South Ribble areas. So far this week we have seized three 9 tonne dumpers, a 6 tonne dumper, a compact excavator, and a tandem roller.

These thefts are not only about the value of the machinery, but also impact businesses and individuals with lost time and revenue. We are still committed to tackling these thefts and recovering stolen goods.

Lancashire Police have a team dedicated to the protection and detection of wildlife, rural and heritage crime. They deliver dedicated, targeted policing that engages with rural communities and addresses their unique policing needs 

 The NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) has developed aRural Affairs Strategywhich sets out police priorities in this area: 

  • Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft - including quad bikes, modern and vintage tractors, tools and equipment from outbuildings. 

  • Livestock offences - includingtheft,worryingand attacks. 

  • Fuel theft - including heating oil, diesel and petrol. 

  • Equine crime - including horse trailer and horse box theft, horse theft, tack theft, fly grazing and neglect. 

  • Fly tipping - including household and commercial waste, waste through organised criminality. 

  • Poaching which crosses over with the wildlife priorities - including hare coursing, deer poaching, fish poaching. 

  • Heritage crime - It is also important to recognise that rural crime and antisocial behaviour have an adverse impact on the historic environment and heritage assets found across the United Kingdom - including the theft of metal from church buildings, unlawful metal detecting and interference with historic shipwrecks.

More information on these issues and prevention advice can be found atRural crime | Neighbourhood Watch Network 

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools athttps://www.lancashire.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online webpage “Home - Lancashire Constabulary - Report Online” or call the non-emergency number 101.  

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.