Quad bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are valuable pieces of equipment, used by farmers, landowners and rural businesses for a wide range of everyday tasks. Their versatility and ability to travel across difficult terrain make them particularly useful, but these same qualities can also make them attractive targets for thieves.

Recent figures highlight the scale of the problem. NFU Mutual's 2026 Rural Crime Report estimated that the cost of quad bike and ATV theft claims rose by 31% in 2025, reaching £3.5 million.

Government estimates suggest that between 900 and 1,200 quad bikes and ATVs are stolen in England and Wales each year.

Whether a vehicle is parked in a farmyard, stored in a barn or kept at home, taking steps to protect it can help reduce the risk of theft and the disruption that follows.

Why are Quad Bikes and ATVs Targeted?

Quad bikes and ATVs are often expensive, relatively compact and easy to move. They can be ridden away from a property or loaded into a suitable vehicle, making them appealing to both opportunistic thieves and organised criminal groups.

Rural properties can be particularly vulnerable. Farms and isolated premises may have multiple access points, large areas of land and buildings that are some distance from neighbouring properties. This can make it easier for criminals to approach and remove equipment without being noticed.

Vehicles may be stolen while left unattended during work, taken from open yards or removed from barns and outbuildings that are inadequately secured. Stolen ATVs may then be sold, dismantled for parts or transported away from the area, making recovery and identification more difficult.

Secured by Design's Quad Bike and All-Terrain Vehicle Security guidance highlights the risks associated with isolated storage locations and recommends combining vehicle security with measures to protect the surrounding property.

The Impact of Theft

For farmers and rural businesses, a quad bike is often an essential working vehicle rather than simply a means of transport. It may be used to check livestock, move equipment and carry out daily tasks across large areas.

Losing a vehicle can therefore have consequences beyond its replacement cost, including disruption to work, additional expenses and lost productivity. For smaller businesses, finding alternative transport or equipment can be particularly challenging.

There is also the emotional impact of becoming a victim of crime. Having valuable property stolen can leave people feeling vulnerable and frustrated, particularly when the theft takes place at their home or workplace.

NFU Mutual's 2026 report estimated that rural crime cost the UK £41.5 million in 2025, demonstrating the wider financial impact of offending across rural communities.

How to Protect Your Quad Bike or ATV

Taking a layered approach to security can make a vehicle harder to steal and improve the chances of recovery if it is targeted.

• Store vehicles securely

Where possible, keep quad bikes and ATVs inside a locked garage, barn or workshop, rather than leaving them in an open yard or visible from the road. Make sure buildings are properly secured, with suitable locks and strong doors, and keep gates closed when not in use.

If indoor storage is not available, consider a secure, covered location with good visibility from the main property.

• Use physical security devices

Even when stored inside a locked building, vehicles should have additional protection. Consider using a combination of suitable security devices, such as:

• A wheel clamp
• A heavy-duty chain and lock
• A ground anchor securely fixed to a suitable concrete base
• A suitable immobiliser

These measures can make it more difficult and time-consuming for thieves to move a vehicle. Secured by Design recommends using appropriate security-rated devices as part of a layered approach.

• Consider Alarms and Tracking

An alarm or immobiliser can provide an additional deterrent, while a tracking device may help locate a vehicle if it is stolen. Some systems can also alert owners if a vehicle is moved or interfered with.

• Mark and Register Your Vehicle

Property marking can help deter theft and make it easier to identify a vehicle if it is recovered. Consider using an appropriate forensic marking system and registering the vehicle's details with a recognised database where available.

Keep a record of the make, model, VIN and serial number, along with clear photographs and details of any distinguishing features or modifications. Store this information somewhere safe and separate from the vehicle.

• Keep Keys Secure

Always remove keys when a vehicle is unattended, even if it is only being left for a short time. Store them out of sight and away from doors or windows, and make sure anyone who uses the vehicle follows the same routine.

• Stay Alert

Be aware of unfamiliar vehicles or individuals taking an interest in farm buildings, machinery or access routes. Consider joining a local Farm Watch or rural crime prevention group to share information and receive alerts about suspicious activity.

If you witness a theft taking place, do not put yourself at risk by approaching offenders. Contact the police immediately.

What to Do if Your Vehicle is Stolen

Report the theft to the police as soon as possible. If the crime is in progress, call 999. Otherwise, use the appropriate non-emergency reporting route.

Provide as much information as possible, including the vehicle's make, model, colour, registration number (if applicable), VIN or serial number, and any distinguishing features. Photographs and details of tracking or forensic marking systems may also help with identification and recovery.

Contact your insurer and provide the police crime reference number. If a tracking system is fitted, notify the provider immediately and follow their advice. Do not attempt to recover the vehicle yourself or approach anyone suspected of being involved.

How Secured by Design Helps

Secured by Design is the official police security initiative, working to improve the security of buildings, environments and products through effective design and recognised security standards.

Its crime prevention guidance provides practical advice to help homeowners, businesses and rural communities reduce opportunities for crime. This includes dedicated guidance on quad bikes and ATVs, alongside wider advice on farm security, agricultural machinery and protecting outbuildings.

Secured by Design also operates the Police Preferred Specification scheme, helping consumers and businesses identify security products that have been independently tested and certified to recognised standards. This provides a useful way to identify products that have been assessed against appropriate security requirements, rather than relying solely on manufacturers' claims.

By promoting effective security measures and encouraging people to consider crime prevention as part of everyday decisions, SBD supports a proactive approach to protecting vehicles, equipment and property.

Make Security Part of Your Routine

Quad bikes and ATVs are valuable assets, and their theft can have a significant financial and practical impact on owners and rural businesses.

Keeping vehicles out of sight, securing them with appropriate physical devices, protecting storage buildings and considering alarms and tracking systems can all help reduce the risk. Recording vehicle details and using forensic marking can also improve the chances of identification and recovery.

By making security part of the everyday routine, owners can help make their quad bikes and ATVs a much harder target for criminals.

For further advice on protecting quad bikes, ATVs and other agricultural equipment, visit Secured by Design's rural and agricultural security guidance.