Businesses have been hit by a string of thefts at the Royal Welsh Show after several all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were stolen from trade stands over the weekend. The thefts took place ahead of one of Wales' biggest agricultural events, leaving exhibitors without key display models as they prepared to welcome visitors.
KYMCO UK Among Affected Exhibitors
Bridgend-based KYMCO UK, which supplies ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles, was one of the businesses affected, with two of its display vehicles stolen overnight. In a statement the company said: "So not the start we were looking for. Overnight we had two of our ATV’s stolen from our stand. So a message: if anybody sees or heard anything please lets us know." The missing ATVs are MXU 550 and MXU 700. "Unfortunately they were the centrepiece of our stand. We will be open Monday morning but without our key models to show. Please come by Stand G 599 and meet the team."
Another Exhibitor Recovers Stolen Quad Bike via Tracker
Another exhibitor, D G Thomas Agri Ltd, an agricultural engineering business based in Llanbedr near Harlech, also said it had been targeted. In a video shared on social media a representative of the company said multiple people had broken into the showground and stolen several quad bikes from exhibitors overnight. The representative said the company had managed to recover its stolen vehicle thanks to a tracking device fitted to the bike.
"Last night, somebody broke into the show, multiple people broke into the showgrounds and stole a load of quad bikes and we have been lucky enough to get ours back," they said. "It sounds like we are the only ones to get it back out of the bunch stolen yesterday. It is thanks to Dyfed-Powys Police and ATV Trackers because we fit a tracker to every single bike and it has paid off today." While showing the recovered vehicle, the representative pointed to what appeared to be damage caused during the theft. "You can see here where they've ripped the barrel off," they said. "I haven't worked out how they've managed to rip the park lock off because the CFMotos have all got park lock mechanisms, so whether they've smashed that internally I don't know."
Damaged Bike to Raise Awareness of Rural Crime
They said the damaged quad bike would remain on display during the show to raise awareness of rural crime. "We're going to leave this on site just so people can see it, to raise a bit of awareness as to what the hell is going on all over the countryside and to farmers all over the UK," they added. "We don't need this. This is just absolute nonsense. Whoever is doing it needs to be stopped and, fair play, in this case, thanks to Dyfed-Powys Police and ATV for sorting us out. We have had a happy conclusion from it."
Police Investigation Underway
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the force is investigating the theft of three quad bikes from the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday. A spokesperson for the force said: "One of the quad bikes has since been located and returned to its owner. The two outstanding quad bikes are KYMCO MXU 550 / Serial number: RFBZ50513S7500319 and KYMCO MXU 700 / Serial number: RFBZ51632NJ80105. Officers have carried out several lines of enquiry, including the use of the National Police Air Service helicopter to locate the stolen bikes. Crime scene investigators have attended to carry out a forensic examination of the scene and CCTV enquiries have also formed part of the investigation."
"If you have seen the two stolen quad bikes or have any information that could assist our investigation, please contact Dyfed-Powys Police on their website, emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org. Quote reference: 26*585718."
Additional Security Measures Implemented
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society added: "We are aware of the reported thefts of quad bikes. We share the frustration and concern caused by these incidents and are supporting both the affected traders and the police with their ongoing investigations. We have put additional security measures in place and provided further security guidance and advice to stand holders. We take security extremely seriously and urge anyone with information about these incidents to contact the Police."
