POLICE in Teesdale are asking farmers to protect their property with a security marking system after two burglaries in Bowes.

A red Honda 4x4 quad bike was taken from a garage at West End Farm. West End bungalow, next door to the farm, was also targeted.

The property was empty at the time, but was ransacked by the burglars.

A welding unit and steam cleaner were taken from the garage area after the roller garage door was forced open.

Also taken was the owners' blue Ford Transit, registration R524 XJN, which was parked outside.

Police believe that both crimes were carried out by the same people and the Transit van was used to take away the property from the bungalow and the quad bike from the farm.

Acting Sergeant Mick Unwin, of Barnard Castle police, said: "I would like to reassure the public and especially the farming community that we are actively targeting the perpetrators of this type of rural crime.

"Funding has recently been approved for the use of Smartwater on farming equipment and 500 farms in the Wear and Tees area will benefit from this initiative.

"Smartwater enables equipment, such as farm vehicles and horse tack, to be individually marked uniquely. Any property suspected of being stolen can be screened and, if marked with Smartwater identified, leading not only to the offender being arrested but also the property being returned to the owner."

For more information on Smartwater, call 0845 606 0365.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call the number above, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.