A SHORTAGE in new and second-hand farm machinery is fuelling a surge in quad theft from Scotland's farms.

According to rural insurer NFU Mutual, the lull in countryside crime that accompanied the pandemic lockdown is well and truly over – and thieves are cashing in on the demand for second-hand ATVs that has arisen from the paralysis in legal supply chains brought on by Covid and Brexit.

The company reported this week that almost half the UK quad and ATV theft claims it had received in 2021 took place from September to December – and that Scotland has been the latest part of the UK to suffer a spate of thefts. The Lothians, Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire had, it said, been consistently affected by quad theft, but recent months have also seen Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway targeted.

Speaking from the Agricultural Engineering Team at NFU Mutual, Bob Henderson said: “The thieves behind this latest surge in quad theft are slicker, more determined and more prolific than before. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of removing keys from machines and securing your quad when it’s not in use.

“Quads are absolutely vital to livestock farmers particularly as we get into peak lambing season, and the thefts we are seeing are hitting farmers twice as hard because of the difficulties getting replacement kit.

The Mutual has been funding police initiatives to disrupt countryside criminal gangs and partnering with manufacturers to provide free security measures on vehicles bought to replace stolen quads and ATVs, following a paid claim.

“Sadly, we have found that thieves will also return to a farm where they have stolen a quad in the hope of being able to steal its new replacement," said Mr Henderson. "That’s why we’re working on the scheme with manufacturers Honda and Yamaha with Datatool to install free tracking devices and immobilisers to protect our customers from repeat crime.

“We also want to help keep farmers – who often work alone – safe," he stressed. "The immobiliser systems have smart technology which can raise the alarm if a machine has been impacted or rolled over.”

Constable Lynn Black from the National Rural and Acquisitive Crime Unit at Police Scotland, said: “The supply shortages mean the criminals are cashing in on this ready-made illicit market and we are also urging people to thoroughly check what they are buying and not to fuel theft against a fellow farmer.

“We have had some successful recoveries of quads recently due to having a tracker fitted which is always something Police Scotland would recommend," said Constable Black. "After removal of keys, trackers and immobilisers are the most effective measures against quad theft acting as both a deterrent and also increasing the chance of police recovering the vehicle and catching the people behind these crimes.

“We are working with police forces across the border including Northumbria, County Durham and Cumbria to share intelligence and disrupt criminal gangs who travel to Scotland to commit crime. We are urging anyone who has any information about quad theft to report it to 101 or share information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

NFU Mutual and Police Scotland offer the following advice to quad bike owners:

  • Always remove keys and keep them stored securely, away from the vehicle;
  • When not in use, keep quads and all-terrain-vehicles locked up out of sight;
  • Install tracking devices and immobilisers to make it easier for police to recover stolen vehicles – most modern tracking devices are GPS enabled, with alarms/alerts that will send a message informing you if your machine is being tampered with. You can also set working hours and Geofences to alert you if a machine is being moved outside of a pre-set working area;
  • Use CESAR marking to deter thieves and enable police to identify stolen machinery;
  • Target-harden your quad by creating a security cage or use a mechanical device such as steering brake/lock, ground anchor or wheel clamp when not in use – these devices are both visible and physical deterrents to thieves;
  • Know what you own – keep records of serial numbers and photographs of your kit including unique identifying features;
  • When buying a new quad insist on a chipped key and immobilisation system.