An operation to security mark farmers' livestock trailers has been extended to quad bikes too. Last week, the Pembrokeshire Community Safety Partnership announced it was launching a major initiative to curb the theft of trailers from farmyards and livestock marts by clearly marking them with farmers' postcodes.

It has now confirmed that staff from the Vehicle Registration Office at Swansea will also be involved. Although the trailer marking may be held at the County Showground, Haverfordwest, over several days if there is sufficient demand, the 'One Stop Quad Bike Registration Shop' will be confined to Monday, April 21. PC Max Bevan, who is running the initiative on behalf of the Pembrokeshire Community Safety Partnership, said it was important that farmers brought the necessary paperwork with them. "Farmers are asked to present their washed quad bikes, together with two forms of identification such as a utility bill and driving licence, from 10 am,' said PC Bevan. VRO staff will help farmers complete the registration forms and police officers will check serial numbers. NFU staff will be at hand to issue the necessary insurance cover so that 'Q' plate registration marks can be issued. PC Bevan said the visible registration mark provided a powerful deterrent to potential thieves because it was immediately apparent that all the vehicle details are available to police via the DVLA database. "The registration of quad bikes not only makes their use on the highway for agricultural purposes lawful but also enables police officers to confirm ownership and return stolen property,' he explained. Meanwhile, bookings are still being taken for livestock trailer post coding. The operation will take place at Brithdir Hall at the County Showground on Monday and Tuesday, April 21 and 22, from 8 am to 5 pm. If demand dictates, more days will be scheduled, said PC Bevan. "We will start on a first come first served basis,' he said. Post coding will cost £35 a trailer and will take around 45 minutes. There will be a facility for dropping off trailers on the night of Sunday, April 20, between 6 pm and 8 pm and for collecting on Monday up until 7 pm. Bookings, for both trailers and quad bikes, will be co-ordinated by the Narberth office of the NFU on (01834) 861944.