AN East Yorkshire MP has given his support for a Bill to help prevent the theft of all-terrain vehicles, such as quad bikes.

Sir Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire, is one of a number of MPs supporting the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill, a private members measure, which has passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons.

The Bill seeks to prevent the theft of all-terrain vehicles and will introduce regulations requiring immobilisers (a device that allows a vehicle to start only if the correct key or fob is inserted) and forensic marking to be fitted as standard to all new all-terrain vehicles. 

It also provides a power for the Secretary of State to extend the legislation to other equipment designed or adapted primarily for use in agricultural or commercial settings, such as the construction sector.

An estimated 900 -1200 quad bikes are stolen in England and Wales each year and an increase in this trend is anticipated.

The latest figures published by NFU Mutual in their Rural Crime Report shows the theft of quad bikes cost farmers over £2 million in 2021.

Sir Greg said: “Equipment Theft is a blight on rural communities and can have an enormous cost to farmers livelihoods.

"I am backing this Bill because if it becomes law, it will deter rural machinery theft.”

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