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Police warn of rise in quad bike and ATV thefts





Police have warned they have seen a sharp increase in the theft of quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles since the start of January.

The advice from Police Scotland’s Rural, Acquisitive and Business Preventions Team (RAB-PT) is to ensure that owners of such vehicles are made aware that thieves are active currently and to stress to them that all steps are taken to keep their quad or ATV safe and secure.

Police have warned of a rise in quad bike and ATV thefts.
Police have warned of a rise in quad bike and ATV thefts.

Farm machinery, plant and vehicles are vital tools of the trade for those who live and work in rural communities.

The theft of these items adversely affects their livelihoods and has a huge economic impact.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Since January 1 the total value of thefts stands at £118,970.

“Thieves are breaking into secure outbuildings and removing them with or without the true key.

“It is to be noted that when a tracker has been fitted there have been some good instances of the quad bike being recovered and returned to the owner.

“Police Scotland’s RAB-PT are working closely with all 13 divisions, as well as with colleagues south of the border, to keep thieves out of our areas as well as encouraging all 19 local Partnerships Against Rural Crime to use partnership working to deter and prevent such crimes from occurring by spreading crime prevention messaging to their rural communities.”

Below are some crime prevention tips to use when thinking of securing machinery:

• Fit immobilisation and tracking systems.

• When the quad is not in use, remove the keys and store well away from the vehicle.

• Use clamps and locks to secure machinery.

• Restrict access to farmyards, buildings and sheds where possible.

• Keep machinery out of sight of roadways where thieves scope for targets.

• Consider outside lighting and CCTV to act as deterrent,

• Record all serial numbers and take photographs.

Visit www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/crime-prevention-advice/vehicle-crime/quad-bike-security for more information.




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