A TOTAL of 19 quad bikes were stolen from rural premises in Dorset last year.

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said there was a rise in quad bike thefts in May and August.

Now police have issued advice to help residents secure their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) from thieves.

It includes:

• Keep your vehicle in a lockable garage or building and make sure you remove the keys and keep them in a secure location

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

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

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

To find out more information on ATV or UTV security or to arrange a bespoke crime prevention visit to your farm or rural premises email ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk