OWNERS of agricultural vehicles are warned to ensure their vehicles are kept secure following a number of tractor thefts.

The most recent theft was overnight on Tuesday when a green Fendt tractor was stolen from a farm in Ham-pton Bishop, near Hereford.

It was driven around the area and is believed to have been used to cause substantial damage to a ticket machine at a car park in Jubilee Drive, Upper Colwall. The tractor was eventually abandoned in Knapp Lane, Ledbury, be-fore it was returned to its owner.

This follows several other similar thefts in recent weeks, including the theft of a vintage Massey Ferguson tractor at the beginning of April. It is believed this vehicle was used to damage a telephone box.

Sergeant Russ Winfield said: "The more steps people take to ensure agricultural vehicles are left secured, the more difficult these vehicles will be to steal."

Anybody with information about any of the thefts should contact Ledbury police on 08457 444888 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 08457 444888.