Burglars have broken into a police station and stolen two off-road motorcycles used for patrolling the area.

The two 400cc Suzuki machines had been chained up and locked in a garage at the station.

The chains were cut away and the bikes taken without anything else in the garage or yard being disturbed at Heckmondwike Police Station.

Now officers in Kirklees are stepping up security at all their stations

Officers believe the bikes were taken some time between late on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. An investigation is underway into the theft and officers were yesterday conducting house-to-house inquiries in the town.

Kirklees divisional commander Chief Superintendent Barry South has vowed to step up security at police stations across the division.

He said: "Whilst we have had major successes in seizing motorcycles being used unlawfully in the Kirklees area - something which was a plea from members of the public for us to focus on - it is now our turn to ask for help in locating these bikes.

"Our primary concern is that they are not used unlawfully for the wrong reasons or in a way which is dangerous to anyone. I would ask that if anyone does know anything about the theft that they contact us.

"We are carrying out security measures across all police premises in Kirklees with an increased focus on CCTV."

The burglary is particularly embarrassing for police in Kirklees as this week officers began destroying illegal motorcycles.

They have been cracking down on nuisance riders and this week crushed many which had been seized over the past few months.

Some of the seized bikes will be given to a Kirklees project called Community Biketrain which will use them to teach young people how to maintain bikes properly and get them into a roadworthy condition.

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact the help desk at Dewsbury Police Station on (01924) 431059.