Rural Task Force Win National Award

A team of local police officers have been given a national award after recovering more than £4million worth of stolen property.

Kent Police’s Rural Task Force were named 'Best Team' at the annual Construction Equipment Security and Registration (CESAR) Awards, held last Thursday (6th November) evening at JCB’s World Headquarters near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

Run by the Construction Equipment Association, the awards recognise organisations tackling theft and fraud in the agricultural and construction industries.

Between January 2024 and October 2025, the Rural Task Force arrested 210 suspects and conducted 375 stop searches on people or vehicles.

Over this period, the team worked hard to recover stolen goods with 39 vehicles, 29 caravan/motorhomes, 12 trailers, 12 excavators, 11 quad bikes, four horse boxes, three tractors, 10 generators, a telehandler and numerous tools returned to their rightful owners.

Other efforts by the team to support Kent residents have included offering crime prevention advice, site visits and property marking, making more than 5,900 items more identifiable if they are stolen.

Alongside their strong work countering criminality in Kent, the Rural Task Force has also targeted the movement of stolen items from across the country to mainland Europe through the Port of Dover.

Sergeant Ross Haybourne told SFM News: "This award is a testament to the relentless dedication and professionalism of the team. These efforts have not only led to the recovery of millions of pounds worth of stolen property, but have also made a real difference to communities across Kent and beyond. We’re proud to see the hard work recognised on a national stage."