Stolen rural equipment worth £120k seized by police

Police have seized £120,000 worth of stolen rural vehicles and equipment as part of an operation looking into agricultural machinery thefts across Kent.

Two cars, two vans, two caravans and a horse box were among the stolen property seized by Kent Police's Rural Task Force, while two other cars were found stripped entirely for parts, including a £40,000 Lexus.

The operation saw spot checks being carried out at the Port of Dover, and officers visiting rural areas of Ashford, Canterbury and Maidstone, police said.

Sgt Ross Haybourne said: "[Thieves] should not feel like they have got away with it if they are not immediately detected, because their crimes will catch up with them in the end."

While no arrests have been made, the force said the seized vehicles will be returned to their owners.

Kent Police said rural crime typically increases during autumn and winter, with opportunists taking advantage of the darker evenings.

However, the cost of rural crime throughout 2025 has fallen in south-east England by 4%, from £7.1m to £6.8m, according to a National Farmers Union Mutual report.

Sgt Mark Yarrow, from the Port of Dover Police, said working with Kent Police and the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team had proved "vital in tackling rural crime" and cross-border offences.

Haybourne added: "It also sends a message to criminals who plan to transport stolen goods throughout Kent and beyond that we look forward to seeing them in the future."

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