Owners of all terrain vehicles have been warned to be vigilant following a rise in the number of quad bike thefts.

Dorset Police's rural crime team has issued a warning after experiencing a spike in thefts this week. 

The team has made a list of security measures to secure your vehicles.

• Keep your vehicle in a lockable garage or building, remove the keys and keep them in a secure location out of view, not hidden on the vehicle and out of view of any windows.

• Use a grip lock that locks the breaks on the machine to prevent it being moved without removal.

• Physically secure your machine using suitable locking devices and fixed ground anchors secured to the floor using heavy duty security chains and padlocks.

• Consider fitting isolating systems to machines that will prevent theft such as fuel and battery isolators.

• Consider using additional brake locks to your machine.

• Cover any windows to the building where your vehicle is kept.

• Consider installing security lighting and CCTV with sensors and perimeter alarms on the building or premises.

• Consider fitting battery operated alarms to sheds and buildings with the capacity to ring and text you should an intruder be present, these can be brought for as little as £50.

• Get your machine marked with security marking scheme such as Datatag or CESAR.

• Consider fitting immobilisers, VHF and GPS Tracking devices.

• Why not contact your local dealer and ask them what they can do for you to prevent your vehicle from being stolen?

• Insurance companies will often offer a discount to premiums with these types of measures.

• Machines fitted and registered with certain security markings are four times less likely to be stolen and our six times more likely to be recovered if they are stolen.

• Record machinery serial numbers and take photographs for reference.

• Report suspicious vehicle or callers to police by calling 999 if the vehicle or occupants are seen committing crime or phone 101 or via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk if the vehicle is seen acting suspiciously.

To find out more information of what’s available to secure your quad or to arrange a bespoke crime prevention visit to your farm or rural premises please email the team directly at ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk