Peter McCall PCC, is urging rural residents to lock up their quad bikes and any other pieces of agricultural equipment as summer ends.

Since January 2022, 40 quad bikes and 66 pieces of agricultural equipment have been stolen in Cumbria. Fuel theft has also affected the rural community, with 74 fuel thefts taking place in the same timeframe.

Livestock thefts also affected rural residents, with 22 thefts taking place. 

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Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “As we head towards autumn, opportunistic criminals will use the darker nights to steal expensive pieces of equipment from our rural residents.

“Therefore, it is essential that we make it as difficult as possible for thieves to access our property, including any livestock.

“Simple actions can really help make it harder to be victimised, including ensuring that any equipment keys are kept out of sight and in a secure location when not in use, placing locks on all outbuildings and installing some form of security markers on our property.