POLICE are appealing for help after a number of powerful motorbikes were stolen in a single raid.

Five Harley Davidson motorcycles were stolen from a property at Snape, near Bedale, where they were stored in an outbuilding.

Two Beta trails bikes were also stolen along with the Harleys and in total, the motorcycles are valued at around £50,000.

The bikes were taken sometime between November 3 and November 12 2012 while the owner was away but details of the incident have only just been released by police.

Detective Constable Donna Anderson said: “Whoever is responsible for stealing these motorcycles must have used either a lorry or two large vans to transport them from the scene.”

The stolen Harley Davidsons included: a bright blue Evolution 883cc Sportster, a black Evolution 1340cc Sportster. a green and silver Evolution 1340cc Sportster, a green Evolution 1340cc and a red Evolution 1340cc.

Also taken were a Beta TXT 80cc junior trials motorcycle, with a red and black frame and a Beta trials motorcycle in red and aluminium.

The raid is being linked to another in which two vintage motorbikes were taken from a farm in Thirn, near Ripon, around four miles away.

A shed was broken into on November 17 and thieves stole a 1961 Greeves Scottish trials bike and a 1961 BSA C15 trials bike, which are valued at £2,500 each.

However officers and a police dog later tracked the motorbikes down in a nearby field and returned them to their owner.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact police on 101, select option two and ask for Donna Anderson or Northallerton CID. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.