Farmers targeted by off-road quad 'gangs' in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Police’s Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team said quad bikes had caused thousands of pounds in damages to farm fields

clock • 2 min read
The image shows the lights of quad bikes 'tearing through' a wheat field in Rotherham (South Yorkshire Police's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team)
Image:

The image shows the lights of quad bikes 'tearing through' a wheat field in Rotherham (South Yorkshire Police's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team)

Farmers in South Yorkshire have been left with thousands of pounds in damages due to quad bikes ‘tearing' through agricultural land, according to police.

South Yorkshire Police's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team said they had received reports of at least four quad bike related incidents between Tuesday (November 21) and Wednesday (November 22).

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Officers reported over a dozen quadbikes had ‘shredded' a wheat field in Rotherham around 7.30pm on Tuesday (November 21) and had ‘smashed' through hedgerows and fencing.

Another incident had occurred on the same field a year previously with reports of youths ‘intentionally' running over badgers and deer on quads, police confirmed.

The rural crime team said they were also alerted to further ‘quad gang' incidents in Tickhill, a Travelodge car park in Woodlands, and Cusworth Hall with riders wearing balaclavas and having no plates on their vehicles.

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Officers have asked for the public's 'eyes and ears' to help deal with incidents of this nature.

"If you see these quads or you have dash cam or doorbell footage, please report it," a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said.

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"They are enabling a host of criminality and are not just out for a night ride.

"Thousands of pounds of damage is being caused and people in remote rural locations are being targeted.

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"Police are out at night, but we need the wider public's help.

"We need to employ your eyes and ears to help us tackle this problem.

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"These quads are being stored in back yards and container lock ups.

"Let us know where via Crime Stoppers anonymously."

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You can find more information about Crime Stoppers here.

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