Cross-border operation recovers hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stolen equipment

Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stolen equipment have been recovered by officers from Durham and North Yorkshire.

Durham Constabulary officers supported North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force over the weekend to recover a huge haul of stolen machinery.

The items were found at a rural location in Durham as part of a collaborative effort between North Yorkshire’s Rural Task Force, local policing teams, and officers from Durham Constabulary.

This successful recovery is a testament to the power of cross-border partnership working and the specialist knowledge of the Rural Task Force, who work tirelessly to protect rural communities from organised criminal activity.

Speaking after the recovery, Sergeant David Lund, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “These are not victimless crimes, stolen equipment and vehicles cause huge disruption to local livelihoods, especially in the agricultural and construction industries. Working with our colleagues in Durham, we were able to track down and recover a large haul of stolen items and prevent further harm.

“Tackling rural crime remains a major priority for North Yorkshire Police. Offences such as theft of machinery, plant, and vehicles can have a devastating effect on residents, farmers, and businesses across the county.

"While progress is being made, we know that rural crime often goes unreported. We’d urge anyone who thinks an offence has been or is about to be committed, even if you’re unsure, to report it. Your information can make a real difference.”

You can report incidents on our website or by calling 101. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Even if you’re not sure a crime has been committed, we would rather hear from you and assess the information ourselves.