Two teenage girls from Newport who alerted police to a stolen tractor worth £60,000 have been praised at an awards ceremony.
At last week’s West Mercia Police Commendation evening at the Prostar Stadium members of the public and police officers were singled for their efforts.
Rachel Hutton and Becky Leach, both 13 and from Newport, were presented with a certificate of thanks for carrying out their own detective work.
The girls were out for a walk in Newport when they spotted a tractor in a field.
Rachel had read in the previous night’s Shropshire Star that a tractor worth £60,000 and equipment fitted to it worth £20,000 had been stolen so she put the registration number in her mobile phone, came home and checked the newspaper.
Seeing it was the same tractor she contacted the police and then directed them to the field when they arrived.
Rachel’s mum, Margaret Forrest, said the girls thoroughly enjoyed the event and were presented with special certificates by Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Rowsell.
She said: “Rachel was very happy to get the award and I was very proud of her. They gave a nice talk afterwards and congratulated the girls on their detective work.”
Becky’s mum Julie Leach said: “I’m pleased for both girls and very proud of Becky. She’s always seemed very grown up and responsible and sets a good example to her two younger sisters.”
Chief inspector Jason Wells, who organised the certificates, said that Rachel and Becky deserve a big thank you for some excellent detective work.
He said: “These two girls greatly assisted our inquiries into this crime. I know their families are justifiably very proud of what they did.”
By Sam Pinnington