QUADBIKES, power tools and a van have been stolen from five farms in the last week - prompting police to warn people living in rural communities to be vigilant.

Stokesley Police are asking farmers to be on the alert after agricultural buildings in the area were targeted in the crime spree.

At 2.55am on Monday, March 30, a farmer at Great Ayton disturbed thieves attempting to break into an outbuilding.

Over Monday (March 30) and Tuesday night (March 31) three more farms were hit. Tools were stolen from a farm in Great Broughton, while a farm in Great Busby had a white Transit van, registration AJ59 BKU, stolen along with two generators and several power tools.

On the same evening a farm in Nunthorpe was broken into and an orange KTM off-road motorcycle registration DX12 ONG was stolen.

Between Sunday, March 29 and Wednesday, April 1, a farm on the outskirts of Stokesley was broken into and a green Yamaha Kodiak quad bike stolen.

Sergeant Nick Hill, of Stokesley Police, said: “What is particularly concerning is the lengths the thieves have gone to commit these offences.

"Several of these crimes have involved cutting solid locks and chains from doors and from some of the vehicles themselves.

“The victims have not been complacent, and had taken steps to secure their property in several cases, but the thieves had come well-equipped to overcome that security.

“I would urge all farmers to review their security and as, well as securing their outbuildings, to also fit alarms and to mark their property – be that overtly by engraving tools or covertly with chemical treatments such as Smartwater.”

A group of volunteers who work with police to report any suspicious activities in the rural area around Stokesley are stepping up their patrols of the area.

Craig Dennis, from Stokesley Rural Watch Group, which works closely with Stokesley police, said: “Normally we go out two to three times a week on dates when police give us a dedicated unit which can be on the end of a radio when we report things.

"With the break-ins they’ve asked us to do some extra ones which I may need some volunteers for.”

Anyone interested in helping Stokesley Rural Watch Group can visit the website www.stokesleywatch.co.uk

To report suspicious people, activity or vehicles in rural areas immediately call 101 and speak to the force control room. If an emergency response is required, dial 999.

North Yorkshire Police has online advice and guidance about rural crime prevention at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/ruralcrime