Five quad bikes stolen from Aberdeenshire farms

Police said the thefts had an impact on rural businesses

Police are appealing for information following the thefts of five quad bikes from Aberdeenshire farms.

The vehicles were taken from sheds along the A97 road between Alford and Aberchirder between last Friday and Sunday.

Officers believe a grey Ford Ranger pick-up was used to tow them away on a trailer.

Police Scotland said the thefts had severely impacted the local farming community.

Det Con Douglas Morrison said: "Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed anything to contact us.

"We also ask anyone with dashcam footage that could assist our inquiries to come forward."

In a report in June, insurer NFU Mutual said while the overall cost of rural crime had fallen by 33% from 2023 to 2024, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles remained a "top target" for theft.

It said an estimated £2.7m-worth of the vehicles were stolen across the UK last year.