Farmers urged to lock up quad bikes after spike in rural Cumbria

There has been a spike in quad bike thefts in the county with 86 being investigated by police in the last 12 months.

The majority of crimes took place in the later part of 2019 during the hours of darkness.

And now Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall and Cumbria Police have met with representatives from the farming community, suppliers, insurers and quad bike manufacturers to look at ways to drive down the number.

“We are incredibly fortunate in Cumbria that we have low levels of crime in our rural communities so when there is an increase in any type of crime the Police want to deal with it robustly," said Mr McCall.

“Any victim of theft will tell you the feeling of violation they have felt when their property is broken in to and taken from them. We don’t want anyone to feel this way.

"It is very apparent that that the solution doesn’t rest with one party but it will require a number of solutions across manufactures, insurers, farmers and the police to bring a long-term solution similar to the issues that were addressed some years ago around car crime. I am optimistic that a solution can be found but as is often the case it will take all parties to work together."

He said he had met with the policing minister and raised the issue of a lack of registration of quad bikes/all-terrain vehicles which would help to hinder the sale of stolen vehicles.

Cumbria Police's assistant chief constable Andy Slattery added: “Often when the police become involved it is too late.

"We would urge everyone in rural communities to make it as difficult as possible for the thieves.

"As a bare minimum all farmers should ensure that the keys are removed and overnight your quad bike is in a locked shed. We also need the rural community to be our eyes and ears."

A specialist rural crime reporting line is available to those who want to report suspicious activity anonymously 0800 783