POLICE in the Scottish Borders were alerted to suspicious activity near Lauder on Monday evening December 12 2022.

A member of the public who resides in a rural area near to Lauder reported that one or more persons had been on their property trying shed doors.

The sheds contained quad bikes and other items of value.

Officers attended but the suspect(s) had made off prior to police attendance.

Officers are now asking members of the public who live in rural areas to remain vigilant and to secure all items of value within farm buildings, sheds and garages.  

Quad bike thefts are an ongoing local and national issue – and Police Scotland recommend multiple levels of security to DETER, DELAY and DETECT thieves:

Their top 4 tips are;  Install an alarm system where quads are kept, consider a quad protector device such as the SUIP protector and secure the building they are stored in, don’t leave keys in or near your quads and install trackers.

Other recommendations include; good quality LED Lighting, CCTV and signage, Driveway & Shed Alarms, Forensic Security Marking & Signage, Secure Shed and Barn Doors with quality locks, park vehicles in front of shed doors at night, High-quality chains & ground or wall anchors to secure quad bikes, Trackers on Vehicles, Cesar vehicle Marking .

 If you see anyone acting suspiciously on your property then please contact Police Scotland on 999 if urgent, 101 if not urgent or via the Contact Us section of the Police Scotland website www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us