POLICE believe criminals are travelling over from Yorkshire to steal off-roaders, following the theft of several 4x4s.

And officers are urging the owners of older vehicles with less security features to be particularly vigilant.

Earlier this month, a Land Rover Defender was stolen from Crag Row, Salterforth.

The £12,000 vehicle was later recovered in Bradford and officers believe the theft was linked to similar crimes in the wider Craven area.

Similarly, a Nissan Patrol was stolen between 5.30pm on January 14 and 1pm on January 15 from Salterforth Road, Earby. The off-roader is green, displaying the registration plate L988 PMA.

Then, someone attempted to steal a Mitsubishi 4x4 from Green End Avenue, Earby, between 6.30pm on January 15 and 2.45pm on January 17. A hole was drilled under the vehicle's door lock, but the offenders failed to drive off in it.

And in a crime which may also be linked, a child's motocross bike worth £600 was taken from a driveway in the town. The Honda CR80 machine, with a distinctive yellow front mudguard, was under a sheet following repairs.

A police spokesman said: "There are people specifically targeting 4x4s in the West Craven area and we do think they're travelling over from North and West Yorkshire."

Anyone with information should contact local police on 0845 1253545 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.