Farms see fewer thefts thanks to property marking

Farms and rural businesses have seen a drop in the number of equipment thefts since a property marking scheme was introduced.

Following a series of incidents in Ongar last year, Essex Police secured funding for 37 DNA forensic property marking kits and signage.

The force said there had been just three rural equipment thefts in a year, compared with 18 in the space of two years before the scheme began in September 2023.

PC Warren Shepherd of the Loughton Community Policing Team said the cost of these thefts was a "heavy burden" for those affected.

"While the number of crimes reported seems small, the cost of those thefts in replacing equipment and repairing damage can run into tens of thousands of pounds, which is a heavy burden for a farmer or a rural business to bear," he said.

When officers recover agricultural machinery as well as vehicles and tools, they are able to check if they have been marked.

It makes it easier to confirm if the items are stolen, leading to potential charges and prosecutions.

The funding was secured by PC Shepherd from the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership with Epping Forest District Council.

Other Essex Police teams including its Rural Engagement Team have secured funding for more of these property marking kits.

There is no cost to those who receive the kits.

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