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Cheshire Rural Crime Team wins 2024 Rob Oliver Award for Outstanding Contribution to Fighting Rural Crime

The Cheshire Rural Crime Team has been named the 2024 Rob Oliver Award winner for excellence in the fight against construction plant and agricultural machinery theft. This award recognises their exceptional work in dismantling an organised international crime group responsible for the widespread theft of agricultural GPS systems across the UK.

The award, which honours those making an outstanding contribution to tackling rural crime, was presented for the team’s relentless efforts during Operation Walrus, a national initiative targeting GPS theft. This OCG had evaded police forces nationwide, orchestrating multiple thefts. Thanks to the determination, investigative skill, and persistence of the Cheshire Rural Crime Team, the criminals are now behind bars—leading to a significant national reduction in GPS thefts.

Superintendent Andy Huddleston, from the National Rural Crime Unit and National Construction & Agricultural Theft Team praised their achievement, stating: “Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team justly deserve this prestigious award, and I would like to highlight their involvement in the national investigation of machinery GPS guidance thefts. It was outstanding and fundamental to the subsequent guilty plea of two international organised crime group members. Great work.”

Rob Oliver MBE was sadly unable to attend the awards evening due to illness. Still, Dave Luscombe, CESAR Scheme & Police Liaison at the Construction Equipment Association, represented him on the night.

“I was very honoured to be seated at the top table with the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the senior Magistrate for Cheshire," said Luscombe. "The evening was a real celebration of policing, including the swearing-in of new officers, the awarding of long service and meritorious conduct medals, and retirement honours. An audience of family and friends of the officers and the police band set the tone for a memorable night.”

Superintendent Andy Huddleston delivered the award citation, highlighting the significance of the Cheshire team’s efforts. The Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable expressed their immense pride in the team’s achievement.

Reflecting on the award, Rob Oliver MBE said: “I’m sad I couldn’t be there in person to see the Cheshire Rural Crime Team receive this award, but I’m delighted their hard work has been recognised. Seeing how this award has grown in stature since it was first introduced is fantastic. Rural crime teams' work in tackling machinery theft is vital, and it’s only right that we recognise their efforts. Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team have set a high bar with their determination and success in bringing criminals to justice. They are truly deserving winners.”

The Rob Oliver Award is named after Rob Oliver MBE, former Chief Executive of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), owners of the CESAR Scheme. He was instrumental in designing and launching the CESAR Security Marking and Registration Scheme. Under his leadership, CESAR became the world's largest registration scheme, protecting over 650,000 items of the UK’s construction plant and agricultural machinery.

Since Oliver’s retirement in 2021, the award has grown in stature and is now widely recognised as a prestigious national policing award. Past winners include the rural crime teams of Thames Valley Police, Lancashire Police, and Derbyshire Police.

From a tribute to an industry leader to a nationally recognised accolade for excellence in rural crime prevention, the Rob Oliver Award continues to highlight those making a real difference in safeguarding communities.

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