New Holland Agriculture and local Essex dealership Ernest Doe have teamed up to loan the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team a T6.160 tractor.

The tractor has been wrapped in Essex Police livery and will attend various agricultural shows and events around the region until the end of July. The Rural Engagement Team work tirelessly at these events to raise public awareness to help drive the reduction of crime in rural communities.

The tractor made its debut at the 63rd annual Ernest Doe Show held at Ulting, Essex, on 7th - 9th  February. The Rural Engagement team spent time talking with show goers about how they target their resources and operational activity to best effect. They also raised awareness of specific crime prevention tactics that farming and rural communities can take to keep their property, equipment and personal belongings safe. 

Chief Inspector Terry Balding, of the Rural Engagement Team, said, “We are very grateful to New Holland Agriculture and Ernest Doe for the use of the T6 tractor, which has drawn a large number of visitors in the events that it has already been on display. We are building up a diary of events for our ‘Marked Police tractor’ throughout the Spring and Summer in Essex and the tractor is becoming a popular attraction alongside our Rural Police. 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 the links with farmers, landowners and rural communities."

David Rapkins, New Holland Business director UK & ROI added, “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.”

The tractor and the team will be attending a number of events this year including:

• 10 March: Essex Rural Crime Strategy 2023-26 launch, Layer Marney Tower
• 30 April-1 May: All About Dogs, Hylands Park, Chelmsford
• 21 May: Essex Young Farmers Show, Boyton Hall, Roxwell
• 7 June: Essex Police Rural Crime Forum, New Holland Agriculture, Basildon
• 8th July: Tendering Show, Bromley Road, Manningtree