POLICE say the prison term handed to a burglar who travelled more than 100 miles to steal from rural Cumbria farms shows that officers "mean business".

Joshua Aaron Faley, 23, was handed a 16-month jail sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after three quad bikes, with a total value of £11,500, were stolen from the Tebay area.

Police were specifically targeting rural crime on the night of February 9 last year, when a man reported suspicious activity in the Tebay area.

Officers found a locked Transit van down an isolated farm track with a screwdriver and knife on the dash board. "There was a ramp in the rear that would allow motorbikes and the like to be wheeled into the van," said prosecutor Clare Thomas.

Two figures were spotted and one, Faley, was arrested. He claimed he and another man travelled to Cumbria to go "ratting" with a dog. But police found he received a text the previous night which asked: "You want to go for a quad tonight?"

Three quad bikes were reported stolen from farm buildings in the Tebay area, but all were recovered.

Jane Foley, giving mitigation for unemployed Faley, of Manorfield Close, Rotherham, said: "He went along with it. He was stupid and he clearly was very foolish indeed."

Faley admitted two counts of burglary, and was jailed today.

Mr Justice William Davis learned that over the last tow years, 51 quad bikes had been stolen from Cumbria - 18 in north Cumbria alone. Miss Thomas had said: "There does appear to be a prevalence. That does cause economic loss in the area."

Sentencing Faley, Mr Justice Davis said: "It is perfectly obvious that this was a completely dishonest trip from start to finish."

He added: "The evidence I have makes it perfectly plan that people travelling distances to steal valuable farm equipment and livestock are extremely prevalent."

Following the hearing, Cumbria police welcomed the sentence.

"This sends out the message that we mean business," said PC John Spriggs, one of the officers who caught Faley.

"We are working with local agencies, neighbouring forces and using all means necessary to target rural crime, much of which is committed by organised crime groups from outside the area."

PC Spriggs added: "We would ask residents to contact us about any vehicle that doesn't belong in the area or anybody they see acting suspiciously. We take all calls seriously."

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