 Criminal gangs are targeting farm quad bikes |
Farms across North Yorkshire have suffered a mini crime wave as thieves target quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles. The county's police believe organised gangs are behind the thefts which have seen seven of the valuable machines stolen in two weeks.
Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said the raids had been going on for weeks and urged farmers to keep the bikes secure.
Agricultural insurers say they have seen a huge increase in rural thefts.
Record details
Mr Lidgate added: "It's an on-going problem, and yet again we're urging farmers and quad owners to keep things secure.
"Farmers should record all the details of their machines, including serial numbers, in case the worst happens.
Tim Price from the National Farmers' Union Mutual insurance firm commented: "Over the last decade we have seen a huge increase in the level of rural crime.
"Quads and all-terrain vehicles are among the items most favoured by gangs operating in the countryside."
Insurers believe the quads, which cost around �4,000 new, are sold on for a fraction of their worth, but that end-users are duped into paying large amounts of money for the machines.
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