Officers were able to track down an all-terrain vehicle commonly used by farmers that was stolen from an address in Longstock, Hampshire, during a burglary.

The police are now warning New Forest residents that safety features should be fitted to expensive farm equipment and other off-road vehicles, which are commonly targeted by thieves.

Officers from the New Forest Priority Crime Team were able to recover this all-terrain vehicle because it had a tracker.

Police were able to locate the all-terrain vehicle that was concealed in undergrowth in a rural location near Marchwood.

The police have stated that a tracking device fitted to the vehicle can help them easily find stolen vehicles and prosecute thieves who are caught.

Posting the incident to Facebook, an officer involved in the recovery of the all-terrain vehicle said: “Farm equipment and plant machinery can be incredibly expensive and attractive to thieves as they are highly sought after.

“The New Forest has sadly seen an increase in this type of equipment being stolen.

“We would recommend, where possible, for owners to fit tracking devices to their equipment.

“Not only can this assist police in recovering stolen property but can also provide lines of enquiry to identify offenders.”

Report from the Southern Daily Echo.