Be on the look out for stolen quads

LOCK UP YOUR BIKES!

By Carol Dutton

Locks, alarms or any other form of visible security, may not deter professional thieves of Quad Bikes. That's the message from Weed Free; the Berkshire based specialist sprayers, following the theft of their two, latest top-of-the range Hondas.

"They used portable hydraulic metal cutters, similar to the equipment used by the emergency services," says M.D. Mike Seaton, "and they knew exactly what they wanted. We had Spraying Mantis machines, and four trailers, which they ignored, and they even took one of the Quads off a trailer and replaced the tailgate. As an asset based company we use a 24 hour guard and recover security system on all our commercial vehicles, but employing the same system on equipment which is towed is just not practical."

Weed Free, who have been using Quads for over two years, have specially adapted the four-wheel drive vehicles to apply liquid fertiliser, and herbicides, as well as perform grass control in heather. The Quads are fitted with Logic sprayers and booms of two to three metres, whose height can be adjusted according to the job in hand.

"The trouble is, they'll just throw all the spraying equipment away," says Mike.

The company are offering a reward to anyone who can give information leading to the recovery of the stolen vehicles, whose registration numbers are RL51ETT and RO02NZU. The number to ring is Tel: 07000 481011.