POLICE are encouraging farmers and farm workers to be extra vigilant after several quad bikes and motorbikes have been stolen recently.

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs Team are recommending vehicles and machinery be kept in a lockable garage, shed or building, as well as layering farm security across the whole property.

In practise, this means locking gates, utilising lighting and cameras and installing drive detectors, alarms and CCTV.

Other recommendations include marking property with DNA markers, fitting trackers and immobilisers, recording vehicle and machinery VIN, engine and chassis numbers and photographing equipment and vehicles.

The team are also encouraging people living in rural areas and farming communities to sign up to its ‘Community Messaging’ system.

‘If you witness suspicious activity in your area, report it to us online via the force website or by calling 101’ a spokesperson for the team said.