Brazen thieves have been targeting farms near Newtown and Montgomery by stealing quad bikes, plants, trailers and 4x4 vehicles.

Police said there has been a spike in burglaries in rural communities along the Powys-Shropshire border during January and are urging people to report any suspicious activity. 

Officers in a dedicated criminal investigation department (CID) are investigating the crimes which may be linked to organised criminal gangs.

In Chirbury, Honda and Suzuki quad bikes along with power tools were stolen from inside barns, a Toyota Hilux with the registration number ML67 MUW and a Land Rover Freelander, and a trailer were stolen from a yard between 3.30am and 5am on Wednesday, January 10.

Police say the thefts are linked to burglaries on the same night in Pentreheyling, Sarn and Kerry.

Officers added that the Land Rover was recovered in Westbury and a Mitsubishi L200 stolen from Kerry was left at the scene in Chirbury.

A KTM motorbike and various power tools including Husqvarna chainsaw and Makita drills were stolen from Pentreheyling, and a chainsaw and leaf blower were stolen from farm outbuildings in Worthen.

A Kawasaki quad bike and keys were stolen from a yard in Horderley between Bishop’s Castle and Craven Arms at 12.50am on Friday, January 5 which an identified suspected vehicle was linked to a theft in Garthmyl, near Montgomery.

Police said: "Most of the burglaries have occurred in the early hours but one of the farm thefts happened rather brazenly during the early afternoon where opportunist thieves have entered a farmyard and stolen a quad with keys.

"Targeted patrols are being conducted in rural areas and a dedicated CID team are investigating crimes linked to organised criminal gangs.

"Please report any suspicious activity or give information to West Mercia Police on 101, online via the West Mercia Police website or to our local team email bccar.snt@westmercia.police.uk which is not always monitored. If a burglary or theft is witnessed to be occurring at the time, then please report on 999.”

West Mercia Police said Shropshire as a whole and neighbouring counties had seen a similar increase in burglaries over recent months.