POLICE have issued an urgent warning to residents in rural areas of Craven to take extra security precautions for their quad bikes and Land Rovers.

There have been a series of thefts of both these types of vehicle in recent weeks. Investigations are ongoing into the incidents, with Rural Taskforce and local officers carrying out security visits, patrols and extra checks. However, officers are also urging quad bike and Land Rover owners to do their bit, by reviewing their security arrangements as soon as possible.

Recent incidents of thefts in the area include a quad bike stolen from a garage in Low Bentham on September 3, while a Land Rover was taken from a barn in Giggleswick overnight between Sunday September 4 and Monday September 5.

PCSO Sally Breen, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “North Yorkshire is a very safe place, but unfortunately we know that criminals travel into our county targeting isolated areas. High-profile operations and ongoing work by the Rural Taskforce is helping make Craven a no-go area for cross-border criminals – but we need residents’ assistance to make it even safer.

“I am urging anyone who owns a Land Rover or a quad bike – and particularly if they live in a rural area – to take extra steps to ensure their vehicles are left safe and secure. It’s much better to spend a bit of time and money now on better security than to go through the inconvenience and upset of having your vehicle stolen.

“Members of the public act as our eyes and ears in rural areas, and so if you are aware of any suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will take action.”

If you are aware of any suspicious activity, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.