A John Deere 6110M tractor will join the Devon & Cornwall Police’s south Devon rural team, the force has announced.
The tractor, which has been “decked out in distinctive police livery”, has been loaned to the force, free of charge, until the end of September by agricultural machinery dealership Mason Kings.
The rural affairs team will use the tractor to raise awareness of the support the police can give to those are concerned about, or affected by, issues like machinery and GPS equipment theft, livestock rustling and livestock worrying.
The new addition is part of a wider effort from across Devon & Cornwall Police to increase community messaging within its rural areas.
PC Clarke Orchard said Devon & Cornwall Police have a huge rural presence, which will be supported by the addition of the tractor to its resources.
“A huge part of our job is to connect to, and be visible in, our rural and agricultural communities. We work with local police neighbourhood teams to tackle rural crime and anti-social behaviour anywhere in our counties,” he said.
“While this vehicle won’t be used operationally, it will be seen at various shows across the region, sparking conversations with farmers, highlighting crime prevention strategies, and engaging with those who might not interact with police teams normally.”
Masons Kings general manager, Peter Endacott, said: “Masons Kings works very closely with all our farming customers and we are very conscious of security of the high value of equipment that is held on farms.
“We are pleased to be working alongside Devon & Cornwall Police, raising awareness and sharing best practices, and using the best technology to help secure customer assets.”
