£1m of 'stolen' property recovered by rural team

The team typically deals with agricultural, environmental, heritage, hunting and wildlife crime

A rural policing team recovered almost £1m-worth of suspected stolen property last year.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) seized 163 vehicles used in crime, attended more than 1,700 incidents and prosecuted 83 suspects.

RCAT leader Sgt Tom Nuttall said the team "punched above our weight".

He added it would start to use more technology to prevent crime and bring prosecutions.

The team, which has 11 members, typically deals with agricultural, environmental, heritage, hunting and wildlife crime.

Despite recovering almost £1m in stolen property, the RCAT said business burglaries with an agricultural and heritage element fell by 33% across the county.

It added that coursing (hunting with animals), illegal lamping (hunting with high-powered lights), and poaching (hunting or capturing wild animals) continued to be low.

Over the next year, the team will use a "crime analysis platform" that predicts the best places to patrol.

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Sgt Nuttall said: “As a small team, we definitely punch above our weight when tackling rural crime - and many thanks to Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch, who support us.

“Over the next 12 months, we will be looking to use technology even more to prevent crime and help prosecute criminals.

“We will also be engaging, supporting and working with our rural communities to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour."