POLICE are urging owners of valuable vehicles to consider ‘trackers’ after a Land Rover fitted with one of the devices was recovered in just 90 minutes after being stolen from Eastby earlier today (Thursday).

The Land Rover Discovery was taken in the early hours, and reported by the owner to the police at 9am.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Fortunately, the owner had installed a tracker in the vehicle, and, when he reported the theft, he was able to provide an area near Sowerby Bridge where the vehicle had been abandoned.

“Officers contacted colleagues at West Yorkshire Police, who located the vehicle at 10.30am, and recovered it to a secure location for forensic examination. It will then be returned to its rightful owner.”

Police say owners of Land Rovers, particularly in rural areas, should fit a tracking device, always leave the vehicle locked and alarmed, and in a locked garage,or other secure area if possible.

Keys should never be left in ignitions, windows should be etched with the vehicle identification number and owners should be vigilant of anyone taking an interest in their vehicle.

PCSO Sally Breen, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “It’s important that anyone who owns a Land Rover – particularly if it’s parked in an unpopulated or rural area – to take extra steps to ensure it is left safe and secure.

“It’s much better to spend a bit of time and money now on improving your security than to go through the inconvenience and upset of losing your vehicle to thieves.

“Members of the public act as our eyes and ears, and so if you are aware of any suspicious activity around parked vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will take action.”