ESSEX Police's Rural Engagement Team is working with two companies to help drive the reduction of crime in rural communities.

The force's rural engagement officers attend many agricultural shows and other rural events during the year to raise awareness of specific crime prevention measures and to encourage people to report crime and anti-social behaviour.

And, through agriculture machinery dealership Ernest Doe, Basildon-based New Holland Agriculture has loaned the force use of one of its distinctive T6 tractors until the end of June.

It's been wrapped in Essex Police livery and police expect it to be a crowd-puller, encouraging showgoers to go and talk to the team about issues which matter to them.

Chief Inspector Terry Balding says: "We are very grateful to New Holland Agriculture and Ernest Doe for the use of the T6 tractor, which will certainly draw the crowds with its distinctive Essex Police livery.

"Our officers will make the most of that interest by opening up conversations with them about crime prevention and criminal activity, which we know is under-reported by people in our rural communities.

"All this helps us to continue building links with farmers, landowners and rural communities.

"We understand how the theft of a vehicle can affect livelihoods and businesses or leave people isolated. We understand how hare coursers can intimidate farm and estate workers and cause extensive damage to cropland. And we understand that there are many crimes which are unique to rural communities.

"We take all reports of crime and anti-social behaviour very seriously but we need them to be reported to us as soon as possible.

"This gives us a better chance of catching the culprits and helps us to build an accurate picture of unlawful activity in our communities.

"We can then target our resources and operational activity to best effect while also making people aware of specific crime prevention measures they can take to protect themselves, their property and their business."

David Rapkins, New Holland Business Director UK & ROI, says: "New Holland Agriculture is proud to support the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team with the supply of a New Holland, Basildon-produced T6 tractor, which will assist the unit at various rural crime initiative events throughout Essex.

"We know how crime and anti-social behaviour impacts rural life, particularly our farming communities, so it is vitally important that, as an agricultural machinery manufacturer, we support the local constabulary in their efforts to raise awareness of crime prevention tactics and to encourage people to report crime and anti-social behaviour to them."

Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd Sales Director Graham Parker says: "We are pleased to support Essex Police Rural Engagement Team in raising awareness to help prevent rural crime and are delighted that the tractor's very first outing will be at our annual Doe Show.

"It is vitally important that we all continue to be vigilant and aware of the steps we can take personally to support crime prevention."

The seven-tonne T6, supplied by Ernest Doe, will make its first appearance at the 62nd annual Doe Show being held at the firm's Ulting HQ from Tuesday 7 to Thursday, 9 February.

And rural engagement officers will be beside it, eager to talk to show-goers about crime prevention tactics which will help them keep their property, equipment and personal belongings safe.

Sergeant Paul Brady, left, and PC Matt Harkness with Ernest Doe and Sons service manager Devon Thake and the seven-tonne New Holland T6 tractor.

The team will be attending a number of events this year, including

• 7-9 February: Doe Show, Maldon Road, Ulting CM9 6QH
• 10 March: launch of the Essex Rural Crime Strategy 2023-26, Layer Marney Tower CO5 9US
• 10 March: Essex Rural Crime Forum, Layer Marney Tower
• 30 April-1 May: All About Dogs, Hylands Park, Chelmsford CM2 8FS
• 21 May: Essex Young Farmers Show, Boyton Hall, Boyton Hall Lane, Roxwell CM1 4LN
• 7 June: Essex Rural Crime Forum, New Holland Agriculture, Basildon

Rural engagement

The police Rural Engagement Team was set up specifically to engage with rural communities.

Officers provide specialist help and advice to tackle wildlife crimes, such as hare coursing, as well as heritage crimes affecting historic sites and buildings, thefts of agricultural machinery, large-scale organised fly-tipping and unauthorised encampments.

And they also liaise with partner agencies to take enforcement action against those who breach legislation and to tackle specific rural issues through proactive operations.

Visit rural crime webpages at www.essex.police.uk/ruralcrime for specific crime prevention advice. You can also find out about Essex Police's farm and rural watch scheme at www.essex.police.uk/essexwatch

If you see anything which you feel needs police attention, or you have information about a crime or criminal activity, always ring 999 if it is an emergency or a crime in progress.

Anyone who experiences or who has information about crime or anti-social behaviour, should ring 999 if it's an emergency or a crime in progress.

Otherwise you can report it online at www.essex.police.uk/ro where you can also provide information directly to an online Live Chat operator on weekdays (excluding bank holidays) between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.