Rural policing team praised by public after recovery of stolen trailer

Officers from Leicestershire Police's Rural Policing Team have been praised by the public after recovering a stolen trailer as part of their new 'Operation Irrigate'.

'Operation Irrigate' is a special, tactical operation, which the team committed to in 2023 where they get the whole team to focus on a specific hotspot or area.

While patrolling the Melton area today, market day, officers were stopping any vehicle towing trailers, plant and agricultural kit and machinery to check them.

Updating the public on social media a spokesperson for the team said: "Largely - words of advice were given to those stopped today. Some drivers had no rear reg plates. Some had loads we needed to check. All were grateful that we were stopping and checking. "

Officers recover the stolen trailer just outside of Melton Mowbray. Photo: Leicestershire Police/Facebook

As part of the operation police noticed a L200 trailer which caught the team's attention. The reason being that the registration plates didn't match an address near to South Croxton.

Speaking about the discovery the spokesperson added: "It also rang alarm bells when the usual chassis numbers had been removed from the trailer.

A few enquiries later and we established the trailer had been stolen from Derbyshire Police area in June 2019 when the trailer was just 3 days old. The victim, based in Nottinghamshire Police area was contacted and we recovered it back to our HQ.

Enquiries into the theft 4 years ago will continue with a consideration to any other handling offences."

Members of the public were quick to praise the newly established branch of the regional force with one saying they are making a difference.

Another member of the public commented saying: "Once again, well done great results".

Police reminded the public that they can report crime at any time using Crime Stoppers which is free and anonymous on 0800 555111. Otherwise in an emergency call 999 or 101 in a non-emergency.

A number of caravans have been stolen in the area recently too which we reported last week. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.