Police investigating the theft of plant and agricultural machinery have recovered more than £570,000 worth of goods as part of an ongoing crackdown on rural crime across Hampshire.
Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force carried out another operation last week at the DVSA enforcement site near Chilcomb, just off the M3.
The proactive operation targeted vehicles transporting heavy loads, with a particular focus on plant machinery and agricultural equipment.
The task force worked alongside the Western Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, Roads Policing Unit, Commercial Vehicle Unit, the DVSA and Data Tag to carry out stop checks and verify the identity of machinery being transported.
Police say the theft of agricultural and plant machinery remains a significant issue for rural communities both locally and across the UK, with organised criminal groups often transporting stolen equipment across the country and overseas.
Between June 2025 and March 2026, the Rural Crime Task Force recovered over half a million worth of goods.
Of that total, £463,300 related to stolen items, including plant and farm machinery, much of which has since been returned to its rightful owners. The remaining seizures involved vehicles or equipment believed to have been used in criminal activity.
During the operation, more than 30 vehicles were stopped and checked, with over 20 pieces of machinery examined.
No stolen equipment was identified during the latest checks, however 2 men – aged 35 and 53 – were arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
The latest operation follows previous enforcement activity at the same site in March, as well as warrants carried out in Southampton earlier this month linked to an alleged half-a-million-pound organised burglary conspiracy involving plant machinery thefts.
Police are continuing to urge members of the public to report suspicious activity in rural areas, including unusual vehicle movements, abandoned vehicles or suspicious behaviour around farmland.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 or via Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
