Farmers in rural Whitby have being targeted in a spate of thefts and attempted break-ins over recent weeks.
It has been reported there were three attempted quad bike thefts last week, earlier this month a farmer’s Hilux was stolen from Mickleby with a sheep/cattle trailer attached, and last month it was reported quad bikes were stolen in the Glaisdale area and stone walls removed to get to them.
There have also been reports of suspicious activity, one being during the daytime in Aislaby.
Two men were on a quad bike, near sheep farmer Jack Hallam’s land, and sped off when they realised they had been spotted.
He has now stepped up security at his farm.
Mr Hallam said: “I was in the sheep shed and one of the neighbours saw them and said they belted off up the lane. Nobody comes down here. We are the last property and once you are here there isn’t another way out, so I don’t know if they were eyeing it up.
“I have started locking everything now and padlocking it. We are parking the buggy right next to the house, which is unfair on the neighbours but they have said they don’t mind, and hopefully someone would hear if it was taken.
“We have heard it is organised crime in Middlesbrough.”
North Yorkshire Police says it is working with neighbouring forces to keep cross-border crime out of the Whitby area.
Sergeant David Lund, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “We know that quad bikes and other vehicles are extremely important pieces of kit for farmers and other rural businesses.
“We’re working hard with neighbouring forces to keep thieves out of our area, and running proactive patrols to deter thefts and catch criminals. There are steps owners can take to keep their vehicles safe too.”
Take a note of serial numbers and photograph your vehicles. Capture any unique identifying features.
When you’re not using your quad, remove the keys and store them well away from the vehicle.
Keep your quad bike out of sight and use devices such as steering locks, ball hitch or frame locks and wheel clamps that are bolted to the ground.
Ensure the building it’s stored in is closed and padlocked.
Use trackers and immobilisers. Not only is this a deterrent but can also increase the chance of police recovering the stolen vehicle and identifying who to return it to.
Review your security and consider CCTV – this also works as a deterrent and is great for overall security.
