OWNERS of Land Rover Defenders in the Knutsford area have been warned by police to make sure they are secure after thieves stole four in two days.

Police officers issued the warning in the same week the last Land Rover Defender rolled off the production line in the West Midlands.

And it seems that has had an impact on thieves ambitions, with four having been stolen, and one attempted theft in Mobberley.

One resident who had his stolen, Alex Tod, who lives in Chelford, had his 'R' reg Defender taken from his driveway at around 9pm on Tuesday, January 26.

He bought it in March 2015 and spent 'quite a bit of money' improving it.

"I got home from work about 6.30pm, went to the garage in the wife's car at 7pm and it was still there then," he said.

"The neighbour saw it when he was walking his dog at 8pm and I went to go out to it at around 9pm and it was gone.

"We were in the living room and just a couple of metres away. We're assuming they pushed it off the drive and started it down the road.

"I spent a lot of money on it and it had a lot of stuff in it that can't really be replaced.

"It was probably stolen to order and I've been told there were two taken in Alderley and one in Macclesfield as well.

"What they normally do when they knick them is keep them locally in case there is a tracker in them, then come and pick them up a later date.

"Someone tried to break into one in Mobberley the other night as well, they are being targeted at the moment."

Police also issued an appeal after a Defender was stolen from the Beech Lane area of Macclesfield on Monday, January 25.

After more than two million vehicles were created, the last Defender rolled off the production line at Solihull in the West Midlands.

The decision is believed to have been taken because of continuing crash safety and emissions concerns.

PC Mike Dawber, rural officer for Knutsford and Force Stolen Vehicle Examiner said “The final Land Rover Defender was brought of the production line on Monday of this week, and with any commodity when it is in short supply, the demand for that item goes up.

"There has been an increase in the thefts of these vehicles nationally and isolated incidents across Cheshire.

"People who have this particular make of vehicle can take simple steps to prevent becoming a victim of this type of theft by considering blocking them in with other vehicles, installing a Thatcham approved immobiliser or alarm system.

"There are numerous companies that sell also Electronic Security Identification Systems for 4x4s vehicles.”

If you have any information regarding the thefts call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.