POLICE are warning quad bike and Land Rover owners in North Yorkshire to take steps to protect their vehicles, after a spate of thefts.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, three Land Rover Defenders were stolen, including one from Boroughbridge, and quad bikes were taken from Castleton, Goathland and Pickering.

Owners are being advised to always leave vehicles locked and alarmed, if possible, and consider fitting an after-market approved immobiliser.

PCSO Sally Breen said: “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 call it in, and we will take action.”