Quad bike thefts spike in region

DUMFRIES and Galloway has been a hot spot for quad bike thefts this year.

September 2025 data from rural insurer NFU Mutual has highlighted the cost of quad bike thefts in Scotland, which is already up 90 per cent against the full 2024 year.

And they noted that the main areas being targeted are the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

Specialist Hannah Binns said: “With three months still left this year, it’s deeply concerning to see that the cost of quad bike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) thefts across Scotland is almost double that of the whole of 2024 for Scotland.

“These vehicles are vital for navigating farmland and carrying out essential work, particularly in the typical terrain of Scottish farms, making each theft highly disruptive.”

To help protect against quad bike and ATV thefts, she stressed it is crucial farmers always remove keys when not in use and store the vehicle securely out of sight.

Physical deterrents like steering locks or wheel clamps can act as deterrent to thieves, who want a quick getaway.

Hannah added: “Additionally, GPS-enabled tracking devices and immobilisers, which send alerts if tampering is detected, are highly recommended and effective. These technologies can also assist police in recovering stolen vehicles.”

In Scotland, quad bike theft for 2024 cost an estimated £102,000 whereas it stands at almost £194,000 so far in 2025 with three months to go.

Other advice from NFU Mutual includes to use CESAR marking to deter thieves and enable police to identify stolen machinery; keep records of serial numbers and photographs of your kit including unique identifying features; and when purchasing a new quad bike ask for a chipped key and immobilisation system

n Theft prevention videos can be seen www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCGdB27NXuooScjLAfZCaVjesU8sd06u8