CHEF Jamie Oliver turned detective to find his stolen tractor after accusing cops of failing to investigate properly.
The TV star, 45, tracked the vehicle down when bungling raiders dumped it in a field in Essex.
Jamie described the police response as “unimpressive”.
He cracked his stolen tractor mystery within hours — thanks to a dodgy plate.
The TV cook gave police key information after a midnight raid at his country estate, including CCTV grabs.
He even had the number plate of the thieves’ Mercedes after a makeshift covering fell off as they nabbed his expensive tractor and trailer.
But he was stunned when officers appeared not to be interested, blasting their response as “unimpressive”.
So restaurant boss Jamie and his team stepped up their investigative efforts, using trackers from the equipment to pinpoint its location.
They discovered the thieves — possibly spooked by their exposed number plate — had abandoned it in a known dumping spot for criminals.
However, Jamie said officers “weren’t interested” in going there so the father of five retrieved the new trailer and tractor himself — just hours after it was stolen.
Yesterday he called the police response “lukewarm” as he warned locals about burglaries in the area.
He said thieves had broken into his estate last week, and went on: “Two guys in a black Mercedes 4×4 stole a new trailer and tractor.
“I just wanted to make you all aware there seems to be some confident casual theft going on in and around the village. Another local farmer and house in the village also has been broken into. It’s not for me to say who, so it’s well worth being vigilant as ever.
"When we spoke to them it was still a very active crime and frankly our security systems and team did all the homework for them but no real active interest??
“Anyway, our security cameras picked up the burglars, their car and the number plate (they tried to cover it up but it fell off mid break-in). The car is taxed MOT etc. Everything they stole had trackers so we were able to see it play out.”
They tracked down the tractor and trailer to a remote field – as well as other stolen equipment. But the exasperated chef went on: “Police weren’t interested in meeting us at the crime location where our stolen items had been taken. So I had to send my team there to get it back. Honestly?!”
He laid into the police for their lack of response into an “active crime”, and also warned of the thieves’ “casual” attitude.
Jamie went on: “I do realise the police are busy but this type of crime is very common. For me, when it’s active crime with good data etc why would you not follow up?
“Anyway no bother we had it all back by 9.30am. There was also other generators and equipment left in the same area undoubtedly from other crimes. So that’s all just letting you know in good community spirit — keep an eye out. The thieves are really confident. They were on site for 35 minutes and not in a rush so we have made some relevant changes so we’re covered in the future.”
The break-in took place around midnight on April 29 at Jamie’s country estate in a sleepy Essex village. Crooks are thought to have snuck into the Elizabethan manor’s grounds through a side driveway.
They then made their getaway along country roads, slipping through the posh town of Thaxted before skirting Stansted Airport.
Potentially realising a number plate had been spotted, they left their haul in a field near Bamber’s Green.
It is believed to be a known dumping spot when crimes go wrong.
One local said a farmer was forced to traipse around the area himself making inquiries after his telehandler was stolen recently.
He then had to retrieve it himself when told where it was.
The local said: “It’s very remote, so a perfect place for criminals to leave something if it’s gone wrong. It sounds like these are organised criminals. We don’t see any sort of active police presence at all. It’s shocking. The farmer had to come and collect it. I have no idea what the police were doing. This poor man had to turn detective which is shocking.”
Another villager said: “It is a remote location, away from CCTV or ways of getting caught. I’ve heard things have been left there after being stolen. It’s not opportunistic. It’s planned and precise.”
One local said: “I get the impression because it’s affluent the police are not as bothered. But machinery is worth tens of thousands of pounds – this is people’s livelihoods.”
Another local said: “It seems utterly ridiculous that locals are having to fight their own crime battles.”
One parish councillor told The Sun: “The area is being targeted by criminals all of the time who are taking things. It’s very common.
“We’re rural so we’re a target. It’s leafy. It’s farming equipment, trailers and trucks. There’s lots of crime. Some of the residents aren’t thinking the police are doing enough.”
The celebrity chef received a wave of support online. One mum wrote: “Thank you for the heads-up buddy. Terrible response from the police despite you doing all the work for them.”
Joanne Polley appeared to think the criminals had been caught, posting: “So pleased ‘your team’ got the items back. Hope they gave them deserved kicking as well.”
Jamie will have spent hundreds of pounds on each GPS tracker used to secure his vehicles. They can track agricultural kit even if hidden underground, or in a metal shipping container.
Essex Police insisted cops do their best to attend crime scenes.
A spokeswoman said: “Officers were unable to attend immediately as they were dealing with other incidents throughout the night and early hours. The informants recovered the vehicles themselves before officers had the opportunity to get there. Our crime scene investigators attended at 10.15am that day, shortly after the crime was reported.
"No forensic opportunities were found on the vehicles but our enquiries into the theft remain ongoing. We always prioritise calls where there is the greatest risk of harm to people and threat to life. This means we can’t always attend some incidents immediately but we do our best.”
Jamie declined to comment further last night.
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