TWO arrests have been made after police followed a tracking device to trace a quad bike stolen from a Brecon Beacons village.

The quad was stolen from a lay-by on the A470 near Libanus, just outside Brecon, on Wednesday, August 7.

Dyfed-Powys Police said its tracking device indicated it was traveling on the A40 through Sennybridge, in the direction of Llandovery.

Roads Policing Units from Brecon and Carmarthen raced to the area and found the quad being towed along the A482, near Crugybar, which is north west of Llandovery and near the Dolacothi Gold Mines.

The vehicle was stopped by officers and the driver, a 32-year-old man from the Llandysul area, was arrested on suspicion of theft. A short time later a 34-year-old man from the Llanwrda area, was also arrested on suspicion of theft.

A property in the Llanwrda area was searched and four more quad bikes were found. The five quad bikes have been seized for forensic examination. The two men have been released under investigation pending further police enquiries.

Police are encouraging anyone living in rural communities to remain vigilant to this type of theft, and to report any suspicious vehicles or behaviour to them. They have issued this advice to prevent a quad bike being stolen:

*Immobilise - Make sure you secure or immobilise your quads when not in use. Remember to remove keys when leaving them unattended.

*Location - Try to avoid leaving quads unattended in fields especially near to roads. If you have to leave them, then try and park behind other machinery, equipment and out of sight.

*Security - When you’re finished for the day, lock quads away in your most secure outbuilding or garage. If this isn’t possible, ensure it’s behind a locked gate to make things more difficult for thieves.

*Track and Trace - Keep a record of any chassis or serial numbers. If the worst happens the more information you can provide, the better the chance of recovery. Consider using security marking kits to mark your property, and think about fitting a tracker or immobiliser.

*Register Online - Websites such as www.immobilise.com andwww.ter-europe.org are useful international online databases to record serial numbers for a wide range of vehicles and property.

Anyone with information about quad bike thefts is asked to contact police either online at: http://bit.ly/DPPReportOnline, by email at: [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.