Surge in Quadbike and Machinery Thefts from North Yorkshire Farms

Tuesday, 14 March 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

North Yorkshire Police say there has been spate of quad bike and farm machinery thefts in the Whitby and Ryedale areas.

The impact of Quad Bike thefts on local farmers is being highlighted by North Yorkshire Police.

Chief Inspector Alex Butterfield says there has been an increase in thefts of the machines over recent months.

A cross-border police operation has been rolled out in the Whitby and Ryedale areas following a spate of quad bike and farm machinery thefts.

It is believed criminals from over the Cleveland Police border have targeted more than 30 farms in North Yorkshire since November last year.

Following the development of intelligence and working closely with Cleveland Police, specialist resources have been deployed to the area in the effort to detect and deter the travelling thieves.

This includes officers from the Rural Task Force, Roads Policing Groups, Operational Support Unit, Firearms Support Unit, the Dog Unit and the National Police Air Service.

They are working with the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to help reassure the concerned and worried members of the farming community, providing crime prevention support, and advice on how best to report such incidents to the police.

Chief Inspector Alex Butterfield says they have seen a spike in crime in the more rural parts of the county and have bought in the extra resource to tackle the problem.

Detective Inspector Phil Giblin, from the Scarborough Investigation Hub, said:

“The cross-border criminals are causing misery and fear among the farming community in the Whitby and Ryedale areas. This is abhorrent and simply cannot be tolerated.

“Together with our colleagues at Cleveland Police, we are continuing to deploy extensive resources in our collective effort to arrest and bring the suspects to justice.

“Our approach is relentless and any criminals heading our way can expect to be locked up by North Yorkshire Police or by Cleveland Police when they are pursued over the border.”

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