06 May 2026 Police granted new powers to recover stolen tracked agricultural equipment

The new Crime and Policing Bill has received Royal Assent, which will grant the police new powers to enter premises without a warrant to recover stolen agricultural equipment that has been electronically tracked.  Currently, officers must apply to the courts for a warrant.  Time is critical in cases of machinery theft and enabling police to act immediately when the location of stolen equipment is known should improve recovery rates, disrupt organised rural crime and provide farmers and growers with the much-needed confidence that these crimes are being taken seriously.