Police in Carmarthenshire have urged quad bike owners to ensure theirs is kept securely, amid a spate of ATV thefts in the county.

A spokesman said there had been four reports of stolen quad bikes in the area in just a week.

He added that officers were urging farmers and other owners of quad bikes to be vigilant of suspicious vehicles and people in their community and to report any concerns to police.

Quad security

Top tips to help prevent a quad bike from being stolen:

Immobilise

Make sure you secure or immobilise your quads when not in use. Remember to remove keys when leaving them unattended.

Location

Try to avoid leaving quads unattended in fields especially near to roads. If you have to leave them, then try and park behind other machinery, equipment and out of sight.

Security

When you’re finished for the day, lock quads away in your most secure outbuilding or garage. If this isn’t possible, ensure it’s behind a locked gate to make things more difficult for thieves.

Track and Trace

Keep a record of any chassis or serial numbers. If the worst happens, the more information you can provide, the better the chance of recovery.

Consider using security marking kits to mark your property, and think about fitting a tracker or immobiliser.

Register

Websites such as immobilise.com and ter-europe.org are useful international online databases to record serial numbers for a wide range of vehicles and property.

For further information or advice, quad owners can contact police on '101' and ask to speak with a member of the Rural Crime Team.