| Security
Investigations underway into Craven
quad bike and Land Rover thefts as
police issue urgent security warning
Police have issued an urgent warning to residents in rural areas of Craven to take extra
security precautions for their quad bikes and Land Rovers.
here have been a
series of thefts of
both these types of
vehicle in recent
weeks.
Investigations are
ongoing into the incidents, with
Rural Taskforce and local officers
carrying out security visits, patrols
and extra checks. However, officers
are also urging quad bike and Land
Rover owners to do their bit, by
reviewing their security
arrangements as soon as possible.
Recent incidents of vehicle thefts in
Craven include:
• On Sunday 21 August a Land
Rover was stolen from Farnhill.
• On Sunday 28 August, a man
was interrupted while trying to steal
a quad bike from a farm in Sutton in
Craven. The suspect was seen
sitting on the bike before he ran off.
• Sometime after Sunday 28
August, a quad bike was stolen
from the side of the house in
Stainforth, even though it was
blocked in by a tractor.
• On Thursday 1 September, a
quad bike was stolen from a barn in
Langcliffe.
• On Saturday 3 September, a
quad bike was stolen from a garage
in Lower Bentham. The quad bike
was attached to a trailer, which was
not stolen.
• Overnight on Sunday 4 –
Monday 5 September, a Land
Rover was stolen from a barn in
Giggleswick. Entry was gained to
the barn through the roof.
PCSO Sally Breen, from North
Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce,
said: “North Yorkshire is a very safe
place, but unfortunately we know
T
that criminals travel into our county
targeting isolated areas. Highprofile operations and ongoing
work by the Rural Taskforce is
helping make Craven a no-go area
for cross-border criminals – but we
need residents’ assistance to make
it even safer.
“I am urging anyone who owns a
Land Rover or a quad bike – and
particularly if they live in a rural area
– to take extra steps to ensure their
vehicles are left safe and secure.
It’s much better to spend a bit of
time and money now on better
security than to go through the
inconvenience and upset of having
your vehicle stolen.
“Members of the public act as
our eyes and ears in rural areas,
and so if you are aware of any
suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to
contact us, and we will take action.”
Owners of quad bikes and Land
Rovers are being asked to follow
this crime prevention advice:
• Always leave your vehicle
locked and alarmed if possible
• Consider fitting an after-market
approved immobiliser
• Park in a locked garage or
other secure area if you have one,
or in a well-lit open space if not
• Never leave the vehicle’s keys
in the ignition, in the same
outbuilding as the vehicle, or near
your front door inside your home
• Be vigilant when using your
vehicle for anyone taking an
interest in it
• Consider fitting a transponderbased security marking system and
tracker device
• Have the vehicle’s windows
etched with the vehicle
44 | Farming Monthly | October 2016
identification number
Suspect suspicious activity?
Contact North Yorks Police on 101
or 999 in an emergency.
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk