During the last week Dorset Police has seen a rise in quad bikes being stolen from rural premises across the county.
Its Rural Crime Team is urging people to review the security of their ATV or UTV as a matter of urgent priority.
What is your security arrangement like for your ATV or UTV? Is it secure enough to stop thieves taking it?
The team has put together a list of security measure to consider using to secure your ATVs and UTVs.
• Keep your vehicle in a lockable garage or building and make sure you remove the keys and keep them in a secure location and out of view, not hidden on the vehicle and out of view of any windows.
• Use a grip lock that locks the breaks on the machine to prevent it being moved without removal.
• Physically secure your machine using suitable locking devices and fixed ground anchors secured to the floor using heavy duty security chains and padlocks.
• Consider fitting isolating systems to machines that will prevent theft such as fuel and battery isolators.
• Consider using additional brake locks to your machine.
• Cover any windows to the building where your vehicle is kept this will prevent any persons looking through the windows.
• Consider installing security lighting and CCTV with sensors and PIR Alarms on the perimeter of the building or premises.
• Consider fitting battery operated alarms to sheds and buildings with the capacity to ring and text you should an intruder be present, these can be brought for as little as £50.
• Get your machine marked with security marking scheme such as Datatag or CESAR.
• Consider fitting immobilizers, VHF and GPS Tracking devices.
• Why not contact your local dealer and ask them what they
can do for you to prevent your vehicle from being stolen?
• Insurance companies will often offer a discount to premiums with these types of measures. Machines fitted and registered with certain security markings are four times less likely to be stolen and our 6 times more likely to be recovered if they are stolen.
• Record machinery serial numbers and take photographs for reference. If the machine is ever stolen a photo will increase publicity prospects and recovery of the machine.
• Report suspicious vehicle or callers to police by calling 999 if the vehicle or occupants are seen committing crime or phone 101 or via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk if the vehicle is seen acting suspiciously.
To find out more information of what’s available to secure your quad or to arrange a bespoke crime prevention visit to your farm or rural premises please email the team directly at ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk
