Man arrested and van seized in connection with agri-vehicle theft offences

Police said the van, which contained a set of vehicle ramps inside, had previously been reported stolen from the Dewsbury area.

A spokesperson said: “The driver, a 33-year-old man from Bradford, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and conspiracy to steal.

“He was taken into custody and released under investigation by the Rural Taskforce while enquires continue.”

The force has urged residents and businesses in rural area to check the security of agricultural vehicles such as quad bikes and ATVs.

Large numbers

The NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey in 2019 found quad bikes and ATVs were being stolen from farms across the country in large numbers.

About 15 quad bikes were stolen in April and May from the Ribble Valley area, Lancashire, with the county’s police force issuing a text message to farmers, warning of a Ford Transit which was driving onto farms and acting suspiciously.

The NFU Mutual survey also revealed tracking devices were the most effective security measures, once basic measures of keeping vehicles out of sight in a building with the machine secured had been addressed.