PFCC Visits New Holland Tractors

This week the PFCC Rural Crime Forum was hosted by New Holland Tractors in Basildon.  While visiting the venue, forum members had the opportunity to learn more about the history of the plant and have a guided tour around the site and learn how their tractors are made, including an alternative fuel tractor that provides a cleaner option.

As well as the tour, forum members heard from Essex Police Rural Engagement Team about tackling crime in the rural community. Investment in more officers and engagement with the public around hare coursing has resulted in some successful prosecutions including two convictions under the Game Act and the first England wide dog prohibition order. There has also been sixteen Community Protection Warnings and three Community Protection Notices issued with nine suspects currently facing prosecution.

Thanks to a more cohesive approach by councils, RET and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit, anti-social unauthorised encampments have also seen a reduction in the past year compared to the previous twelve months, falling from 95 in 2021 to 59 in 2023.

The Rural Engagement Team have also been busy in the past three months putting in over a thousand of hours of proactive rural patrols, following up 150 intelligence reports and issuing over 573 Traffic Offence Tickets. If you are holding a rural event and would the rural engagement officers to attend to promote crime safety and advise on rural crime issues please contact them on [email protected].

If you represent a rural community group or have a business in the rural sector and would be interested in joining the PFCC Rural Crime Forum, please contact [email protected] to find out more.