Farmer attacked and robbed of £6,000 quad bike

A farmer was attacked and robbed of his £6,000 quad bike in a “despicable” attack by a gang of teenagers.

The incident happened around 3.30pm on Wednesday (7 March) near Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.

Police said three men assaulted the farmer while he was working, took the keys to his green Honda 420cc quad bike and made off on the vehicle towards Blackburn.

See also: Honda revealed as most stolen quad bike brand on UK farms

PC Craig Ireland, of Police Scotland, said: “This was a despicable attack on a farmer going about his business for the purpose of stealing his quad bike.

“Thankfully he was not seriously injured in this robbery, but he has been deprived of a vehicle he needs to do the day-to-day work on the farm.

“We are keen to speak to anyone with information that can assist us with this investigation.”

The farmer was not seriously injured, but was left shaken by the attack.

The attackers are all described as18- to 19-year-old white men with local accents.

Thieves ‘covered in mud’

The first man was about 6ft tall and of skinny build. He was wearing a dark navy hooded top with matching tracksuit bottoms with a hood up and tight around his face.

The second thief was about 5ft 10 inches tall, of stocky build and tanned. He was wearing a black tracksuit with a hood up and tight around his face.

The third suspect was about 5ft 11 inches tall and of skinny build. He was wearing a light grey tracksuit and had a balaclava covering his nose and mouth.

All three men were covered in mud.

Officers have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 101.