Police appeal over stolen quad bike and tractor

The blue Ford tractor and red Honda quad bike where stolen from two different locations

Police are investigating the theft of a quad bike and a tractor in Dorset.

Officers received a report a red Honda quad bike was being driven away towards the A351 from a property in Fancy's Row in Holton Heath, Purbeck, on 23 July between 18:30 and 19:00 BST.

The force received a further report that a blue Ford tractor had also been stolen from a property in Sandford Road in Wareham on the morning of 24 July.

Mike Sinnick, police community support officer, said: "The close proximity of the locations in which these two vehicles were taken, we believe that these incidents could be linked."

The officer appealed to any witnesses and asked people in the area to check any CCTV they may have.

It comes after new figures from the National Farmers Union Mutual revealed the cost of rural crime in Dorset rose 18% to an estimated £410,000 last year.

The report showed the crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year.