Quad owners urged to protect their vehicles from theft

by Gráinne Connolly

Police have received a number of reports recently regarding stolen quads in the Tyrone and Fermanagh area, therefore they're urging owners to take extra precautions to protect them. 

A spokesperson for the PSNI said "these are expensive pieces of kit and costly to replace" - therefore it's important to take a simple precautionary steps to prevent their theft including: 

• Keep your quad and equipment securely locked away.
   
• Fit well positioned external lighting to effectively illuminate the area of your shed or garden, criminals do not like to be illuminated or observed during their criminal activities.
   
• Keep your shed/garage in good condition, fit a closed shackle padlock to the door ensuring that any screw or bolt heads securing the hasp cannot be removed, consider fitting grills or mesh to the windows, invest in an audible alarm to protect the shed or garage.
   
• Consider chaining large items such as bicycles, lawnmowers etc. together and attached to an immovable securing point. Quad motorcycles and trailers should be well secured.
   
• Mark your property with house number and postcode, it makes it less attractive to the thief to steal and may assist police in returning the item to the rightful owner.
   
• Retailers and stockists should ensure their premises are secure.