FARM chiefs are appealing to farmers in Cumbria to be extra vigilant after a rise in criminal activity across the region.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) say thieves are targeting farms with GPS guidance equipment at night. In the last week alone there have been seven incidents in the Lancashire area. The thieves are highly organised, appear to have done research on their targets to avoid detection," said an NFU spokesperson.

Meanwhile, an appeal has been launched after the theft of a multicoloured CF Moto 500 quad bike, registration PX19 OKA, thought to have been stolen from the Shap area last week. Two quad bikes, a green Artic Cat with a unqiue plastic storage box on the rear and a green Honda 2014 Quad, were also taken during the raid near Crummock Water on Monday, August, 24 after thieves broke into a barn. Contact police on 101 with information.