POLICE are appealing to residents and rural businesses to be on their guard following burglaries in the Skipton area yesterday (Monday).

A distinctive quad bike was stolen from a farm near Bradley in the early hours. Thieves forced the door of an outbuilding to take the red Honda 250-TMZ, a 2007 model without a registration number. The vehicle has a broken front right spring and cracked rear mudguards. Machine tools were taken from the outbuilding at the same time.

A second burglary was then reported at a farm near the A59 Harrogate Road just before 8am.

A spokesperson for Craven Police said: "A JCB digger was damaged during an attempt to steal a quadbike. The suspects made off with a Milwaukee chainsaw. At this stage, it is not known if the incidents are linked."

Anyone with any information is asked to email emily.hewitson2@northyorkshire.police.uk; or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Emily Hewitson. Anonymous information can also be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference number 12230004611 for the quadbike theft and 12230004593 for the JCB incident.