Police officers in Essex have managed to recover a stolen tractor and returned it to its owner in Great Totham the following morning – all before the owner had even realised it was missing.

On Friday, January 11, officers from Chelmsford Local Policing Team were on duty in Wickford when they spotted a tractor that looked out of place on land off Meadow Lane.

They checked the surrounding area and searched the Police National Computer to find the owner.

When contacting the owner to inform him of his missing tractor, he was unaware it had been stolen from his farm off Walden House Road, Great Totham overnight.

Investigations are ongoing

Sergeant Richard Everitt, from Chelmsford Local Policing Team, said: “The man was pleased his tractor had been recovered so quickly but of course, frustrated that it had been stolen.

“We’ve returned it to him this morning. We will continue to disrupt and tackle theft in rural areas.”

Anyone with information about criminal activity in rural communities is asked to call ‘101’ or report it online.

Information regarding a crime can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on: 0800-555-111.