QUAD bike owners are being urged to check on their security following a recent spate of thefts of 4x4 machines from rural areas in Denbighshire.

Since October 20, a total of seven quad bikes have been stolen, mainly from farm locations, including Llangollen, Ruthin, Cyffylliog, St Asaph and Brenig.

Rural Crime Team manager Rob Taylor said: “We are seeing a surge of quad bike thefts by organised criminals who are determined to get past locks and security devices to take the machines. "This is a trend that is being replicated throughout Wales.”

The recent thefts have mainly occurred during the hours of darkness where criminals are loading them into waiting transport, such as vans or similar.

Mr Taylor added: “Criminals will usually visit the area before the thefts by making an excuse to be on a farm, such as asking for directions.

"We remind owners to up their security measures and to report registration numbers of cold callers’ vehicles to their farms every time to the police on 101.

"We will follow up the call and it will help us to trace the offenders”.

The force has confirmed quad bike thefts are now a national police rural policing priority.