THIEVES cut the lock from a garage then rolled out a parked car to reach a £3,000 quad bike, which they stole.

Now its co-owners are trying to trace the machine after realising their insurance cover does not pay out over the theft of the vehicle, which they had owned for only five weeks.

It had been bought by friends James Sherry, 30, and Shakel Younas, 41, a blind fitter, and they had locked it away after using it on Sunday afternoon.

The quad was stored in a garage at Mr Younas’ father’s home in Scholemoor Lane, Scholemoor, and the friends assumed it would be safe as it was blocked in by a car and the garage doors then locked behind.

But the offenders were able to steal the machine unseen overnight and it has now emerged the Apache RLX400 quad, registered AE60JGO, was not insured against theft.

Because of that, the friends are offering a £200 reward for its safe return.

Mr Sherry said: “When we were out, there was a gang of lads nearby. It may be coincidence but it has gone after they were watching us.”

A shop in Scholemoor Lane has CCTV and he now faces the prospect of watching hours of footage to check for information.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed the quad had been reported stolen.

Mr Sherry can be contacted by telephone on 07860 862015.