Optimus Crime joins Devon & Cornwall Police fleet

On Saturday 17 June Devon & Cornwall Police revealed the winner of its ‘Name Our Tractor’ competition at Woofstock Festival.

Over 500 entries were received from children aged 12 or under, but there could only be one winner. The winning name was suggested by four-year-old Reuben Mudge who came up with the name ‘Optimus Crime’.

The John Deere tractor has been loaned to Devon & Cornwall Police free of charge by local dealership Masons Kings. It will be rolled out at local agricultural shows across Devon over the summer as part of a wider effort to increase community engagement within the rural areas of Devon and Cornwall.

Rueben and his family were invited to Woofstock to officially unveil the new name and for Reuben to give it his personal seal of approval, by way of an enthusiastic thumbs up.

The distinctive police livery has already inspired lots of conversations with local farmers since its debut at the Devon County Show in May and its new name is sure to encourage even more.

Devon & Cornwall Police Constable Clarke Orchard said: “The response to the competition was fantastic! There were over 500 entries in total and plenty that would have made excellent names, so well done to Reuben for being a worthy winner.

“Optimus Crime will be used throughout the summer to engage with people who may not ordinarily find themselves speaking with the police. As we have found so far, one question from a passer-by about the name or the livery can develop into really important and meaningful conversations about how we can better tackle rural crime. It also allows our officers an opportunity to give advice on subjects such as protecting livestock and agricultural equipment.”

The next opportunity to see Optimus Crime is at the Britannia Royal Naval College Open Day in Dartmouth on July 15. Follow the Rural Affairs Team - Devon on twitter to keep up to date.