Security alert issued amid surge in quad bike thefts across Scotland

The warning comes after new September 2025 data from the UK’s rural insurer highlighted that the cost of quad bike thefts in Scotland is already up 90% compared to the total for the last year.

The main areas being targeted are the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, but thieves have been known to travel far and wide to scope and steal these valuable, highly desired vehicles.

Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, explained: “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.

“Being from a family farm, I understand the toll rural crime has on those working and living in the countryside. It’s not just the unsettling feeling that criminals have staked out and targeted the farmyard, often where the family home is too, but the lingering fear they could return in the future.”

Ms Binns said that to help protect against quad bike and ATV thefts, 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 deterrents to thieves, who above all are looking for a quick getaway.

“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,” she added.

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‘Costs of rural crime are continuing to soar’

Across the UK, quad bike thefts are estimated to have cost almost £2.7 million in 2024, according to NFU Mutual’s claims data. 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.

In 2023, the UK government passed the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act, which aims to prevent both the theft and re-sale of agricultural equipment, such as quad bikes, by ensuring immobilisers and forensic marking are fitted as standard and a registration database is created.

Introducing similar legislation in Scotland making it mandatory for manufacturers to fit theft prevention methods on equipment and vehicles will help deter thieves and aid recoveries, bringing Scotland in line with other parts of the UK, NFU Mutual said.

Rachael Hamilton, MSP, said: “It is extremely concerning to see that the costs of rural crime are continuing to soar. I know from my own constituency in the Borders that those living and working in the countryside are increasingly fearful of having expensive equipment stolen.

“I have been bringing forward plans at Holyrood to toughen up the punishments against those who commit these crimes, and these figures reinforce the need for urgent action to be taken. Our farmers and rural communities deserve greater protection rather than being left abandoned to try and tackle these crimes on their own.”

NFU Mutual has a range of incentives for its farming and rural customers to invest in prevention, such as policy discounts for those using measures such as CESAR marking, approved trackers, immobilisers and mechanical devices.

“We’re also proud to be a major funder of the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC),” NFU Mutual said.

Security advice for bike quad owners

NFU Mutual and the NRCU are issuing the following advice:

• When purchasing a new quad bike ask for a chipped key and immobilisation system.

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