Classic Land Rover Defender owners are being urged to secure their vehicles amid a spike in thefts in the Bishop's Castle area.

Police say they believe the thieves are a gang from the West Midlands who are targeting properties with Land Rover Defenders.

The warning follows a theft of a Land Rover Defender 90 which was stolen from a drive in the town during the early hours of New Year's Eve (Saturday, December 31).

West Mercia Police said: "Offenders have entered the vehicle without a key and pushed it off the drive. They have then bump started it by pushing it down a bank.

"Enquiries are ongoing and proactive work is being undertaken to target the offenders."

Police are also asking quad bike owners to take measures to secure and make the vehicle as difficult as possible to steal after two neighbouring farms were targeted on the outskirts of Minsterley on Friday (January 13).

An investigation is underway by West Mercia Police's Serious Acquisitive Crime Team after two Honda quad bikes were stolen from the outbuildings.

Anyone with information about who carried out these crimes are asked to phone the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.