Collaboration and building relationships with horse owners are high on the agenda as police forces come together to tackle equine and rural crime.

In June, the National Police Chiefs Council’s “equine priority delivery group” (EPDG) met to consider what can be done to support the equine community under its new three-year strategy. The group comprises forces across the UK, with input from organisations including the British Horse Society (BHS), World Horse Welfare, and the RSPCA.

Objectives include reducing theft, tackling fly-grazing and neglect, and improving collaboration between regions to reduce cross-border equine crime.

The group’s national lead, inspector Korine Bishop of Hampshire Constabulary, told H&H the aim is to get forces working towards the same objectives.

“We’re considering what best practice looks like and how we can collectively support the equine community,” she said.

“We have prevention, intelligence and enforcement leads and we’ve also set up a sub-group around green-yarding, because we know there are issues with loose horses in certain areas of the country.”

Inspector Bishop hopes the group will bring a national approach to equine crime recording.

“Different forces use different recording systems so it can be difficult to get figures on, for example, tack theft, but as part of this group we’re working more collaboratively,” she said.

“It’s trying to share information and discuss what’s going on in different areas. Sometimes when you look at forces, there’s sort of this straight line when it gets to the border, but criminals don’t work within borders so it’s looking at how we can support across forces.

“Over the next 12 months, I want to create some national recommendations and a national equine operation that everyone knows as a brand,” she added.

A number of forces have also relaunched horsewatch schemes this year including West Yorkshire Police, as they look to build on relationships with horse owners.

“Not only will we be concentrating on crime prevention advice, we want to focus on incident reporting, how to gather best evidence and what we can do with it. We will look at local neighbourhood policing teams and make sure we have a contact in each team that can link in with the equestrian community,” said West Yorkshire Police sergeant Terri Green.

“We want to highlight things like the Pass Wide and Slow initiative and the importance of wearing high-vis. We want to make sure people log incidents with the BHS – while we’re the ones that can take action, the BHS needs these statistics to support the work we do.”

Sergeant Green plans to engage with owners via the West Yorkshire Police horsewatch Facebook page.

“I want to ask owners for their crime prevention advice – police have all the standard stuff, but I want to hear from owners what works and what doesn’t and share this information and learn from each other,” she said.

The new Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) strategy launched for 2022–2025 with road safety, theft, horse interference and access on the equine agenda. Led by Police Scotland, SPARC’s 22 member organisations include local partnerships and the BHS – which played a leading role in the strategy.

Police Scotland national rural crime coordinator inspector Alan Dron told H&H the strategy will build on previous work, including the force’s road safety campaign Lose the Blinkers. Work will also be done around countryside access to build on relationships between riders and other users and tackle issues such as dog attacks on horses.

“The police, along with SPARC partners, will work on the priority issues and over the three years we’ll come up with different innovations and tactics that will constantly work towards achieving what the BHS has put in as indicators of success – such as more educated drivers, fewer accidents, uptake in protective marking schemes,” said Inspector Dron.

“We want owners and livery yards to get involved; if there is a bad bit of road and you want a Lose the Blinkers operation set up or for our teams to do theft marking, then speak to your local representative. That’s what we’re here for.”

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H the society was “delighted” to play a leading role in the SPARC strategy.

“Building strategies like this and the EDPG will provide riders and owners with greater guidance on how to confidently implement prevention steps and reduce rural crime,” he said.

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Criminals’ ill-gotten gains will allow a Horsewatch organisation to continue to support victims of rural crime.

North Wales Horse Watch has been given £4,920 after they applied for a share of a £60,000 pot through the ‘Your Community Your Choice’, a joint initiative of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales and North Wales Police.

The initiative supports community projects by donating some funding from the police and crime commissioner and money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Applications were considered by a police panel, then opened to an online public vote.

Helen Lacey, who founded North Wales Horse Watch in 2010 after a driving harness and generator of hers were stolen, told H&H the funds will allow the voluntary organisation to continue to support victims of crime.

“We applied for the funding because rural crime is massively on the increase. A lot of yards were being targeted and people were coming to us asking for tack-stamping and we didn’t have the resources to cope with the number,” said Helen.

“We have a new project visiting schools, universities, Pony Club branches, and clinics to educate the younger generation about crime prevention. It starts at an early age – if they can be aware of what is going on then it helps them growing up.”

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The break-in happened between 6.30pm on Wednesday (9 January) and 8am on Thursday.

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The funds will go towards more equipment including microchip scanners and a purpose-built trailer to allow the organisation to attend events and offer tack-marking and demonstrations.

“It feels good that the funds have come from proceeds of crime and are now being used for crime prevention and education,” said Helen.

“Volunteers give up their time but we can’t run on fresh air, so by receiving the money our volunteers can continue to help people. I feel very supported by people voting for us. We had lots of posts on our Facebook page encouraging others to vote for us and congratulating us when we won.”

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Riding clubs are being offered free crime prevention advice guides and property marking pens though a new initiative launched by Warwickshire Horse Watch last week (10 December).

Set up in 2010, Warwickshire Horse Watch is a partnership between Warwickshire police and horse owners in the county.

Its 4,000 members receive advice and alerts from the police messaging system and social media links.

The new advice guides were launched with funds from the Police Property Act Fund (PPA).

This distributes money from the sale of unclaimed lost property or items seized during police raids to charities.

“When we found out that there was no information to help clubs, we wanted to put something together that would help them look at ways to protect their equipment,” said Carol Cotterill, chair of Warwickshire Horse Watch.

“We want to reach out to as many horse owners as we can to let them know that by doing a few simple things, you can deter thieves and help keep your property safe,” Carol told H&H.

The leaflet covers ways to mark equipment and gives guidance on how to protect jumps and keep fields secure.

Clubs are advised to put a physical barrier in a gateway if a field is only used in the summer.

“We are really grateful for the support we receive from Warwickshire police. It allows us to constantly look at ways to help horse owners including providing gate signs, free tack marking and crime prevention advice sheets,” she added.

Chief constable Martin Jelley said he was “very pleased to support this proactive group of volunteers, who give up their own time to look at ways to help horse owners and assist in the prevention of equine and rural crime”.

The scheme has been applauded by the British Horse Society (BHS) and British Riding Clubs.

“We are really pleased to support Warwickshire Horse Watch’s initiative to help riding clubs and centres to protect their property,” said the BHS’s Andrea Jackman.

“This is a fantastic idea,” said Laura Sanger, head of British Riding Clubs. “We are delighted that riding clubs will be able to benefit from this scheme.”

For a copy of the advice sheet clubs can either visit www.warwickshire-horsewatch.co.uk or email horsewatch@warwickshirepolice.uk and the leaflet, poster and UV permanent marker pen will be sent in the post free of charge. The pen has a UV marker on one end and a permanent marker on the other.

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Paralympian Nicola Tustain (pictured, above right) is backing her local Horse Watch initiative. Nicola, former world and paralympic champion, lives in North Wales and has signed up as a member. She is now encouraging other riders in the region to do the same.

North Wales Horse Watch aims to help prevent, reduce and detect equine crime.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved and help reduce equine crime,” said Nicola. “I know people who have been victims of an attempt to steal a pony, so I happy to support the scheme.”

Police volunteer Helen Lacey (pictured, above left) established the first Horse Watch in north-east Wales in 2010. It now has more than 2,500 members signed up across North Wales.

“[Members] get free advice on security and any information we think is important to share among the equine community, such as suspicious activity or crime trends, or forthcoming security marking events,” she said.

Members are encouraged to register all serial numbers of equipment they hold, passport and microchip numbers and descriptions of their horses.

For details, email northwaleshorsewatch@yahoo.co.uk or horsewatch@nthwales.pnn.police.uk, or visit the North Wales Horse Watch website.

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Warwickshire Horsewatch has won a Country Crime Fighter Award.

The group has been recognised for its positive impact on local crime reduction in the county.

As a winner the group gets £1,000 to help fund anti-crime initiatives in the local area.

The awards, established by rural insurer NFU Mutual, are designed to celebrate and reward examples of crime prevention taking place in the countryside.

“We are very proud to win,” said Warwickshire Horsewatch representative Carol Cotterill. “We work hard to promote our key messages of ‘crime prevention and crime awareness’ in lots of different ways. Receiving this award will help us to continue educating people how best to keep their horses, equipment and premises safe.”

By supporting local police Warwickshire Horsewatch has helped tackle crimes including yard thefts, suspicious vehicles and livestock worrying.

NFU Mutual’s chairman Richard Percy added: “Members of the Warwickshire Horsewatch should be very proud. They have managed to unite the community in the fight against crime, through their perseverance, which has not only earned them the respect of their local community but contributed to the surrounding area being a much safer place.”

Police and Horsewatch groups are warning yards to be wary of cut-price services after an apparent muck disposal scam.

People in counties including Wilts, Berks, Northants, Somerset and Hants report paying for a skip to remove their equestrian waste that has never arrived.

The company offers an “equine waste recycling service” to supply muck skips and empty them for 12 months for a cut-price fee.

Richard O’Neill Kemp from Glebe Farm Equestrian Centre, Northants, said: “I got an email, but was wary as it sounded very reasonable, so I called them.

“They said [the muck] would be sold on for biofuel and compost, so I paid £400.

“That was more than a month ago and still no skip. I’ve contacted the police and the company, who said I’d get a refund, but I’m yet to see any money.”

Jan Tupper from Arniss Equestrian in Fordingbridge, Hants, told H&H she fell victim to the scam in October.

“We received a flyer, paid £600 and ordered one skip, which was delivered, but no one came back to empty it,” she said.

“We took the company to court in March and won, but have seen no money.”

Another victim, who asked not to be named, said: “We ordered a skip and it all seemed legitimate. We paid around £800 for two skips, one arrived.

“This was in April. I asked for a refund but the cheque bounced. I’ve taken it to the police.”

Wiltshire Police is urging any other victims to get in touch to help with the case. The company could not be contacted for comment.

If you have concerns, contact your local police force, tel: 101.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (21 June 2012)

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Riders in Sussex are being urged to keep an eye out for Christmas tree thieves while they are out hacking.

Sussex Police say the large-scale theft of Christmas trees – from garden centres, growers and private sellers – is becoming all-too common at this time of year.

Phillip Ball, who runs Sussex Horsewatch, told H&H: “Riders are one of the best sources of information for rural crime, because their eyes are several feet off the ground and they are riding slowly along country lanes.”

Riders who see any suspicious activity should telephone 999. For non-emergencies, call 101

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (15 December 2011)

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A new Horsewatch scheme is being set up in Pembrokeshire to fight equine-related crime.

The Dyfed-Powys Police Horsewatch group is offering free engraving of identification codes on trailers and saddle stirrup bars and code stamping onto all leatherwork such as bridles.

These codes are then registered with the police and in the case of theft enable you to prove ownership of an item.

If you decide to sell any item then the code is transferred to the new owner.

The police force also recommends that horseowners photograph their items to help combat theft.

For more information e-mail: PembrokeshireHorsewatch@dyfed-powys.penn.police.uk

To find our more about Horsewatch schemes in your area visit: www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk

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Horse owners in West Yorkshire have been warned after thieves have been stealing rugs from horses out in fields.

Police are appealing for information after receiving a number of reports of rug theft.

Bradford South Horsewatch co-ordinator Julie Hansord is calling on owners to be extra vigilant.

“These thieves are looking for easy opportunities to remove these items with a view to selling them on,” she said.

“Some of the rugs have been marked with postcodes and have been secured to the horse with a padlock, but they are still being removed.

“I recently received a report from one Bradford Horsewatch member who has had 11 rugs taken.

“If you are offered a horse rug, please check for any markings and contact the police it you believe the circumstances to be suspicious. And I would suggest that where possible, owners regularly monitor their horses if they rely upon the use of a rug.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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Berkshire College of Agriculture is holding an equine safety and security day on Saturday, 18 September, at Burchetts Green, near Maidenhead, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Horsewatch will be available to mark tack, your horse can be booked in to be microchipped, and you can have your postcode put on your trailer roof — pre-booking is required on the number below.

Various security firms will be showing their products, and equestrian outlets will have a selection of early Christmas presents.

For further information please contact Amanda King on 01628 827529 or email aking@bca.ac.uk

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A coloured mare — who is due to foal imminently — is missing, presumed stolen, from her field in Wantage.

Thames Valley Horsewatch is appealing for information after the four-year-old 14.2hh, trotter, disappeared overnight on Saturday/Sunday (20-21 June).

The mare is described as mainly white, with a chestnut head and broad blaze, chestnut patches on both flanks and a patch above a very short chestnut tail.

Her foal is also expected to be chestnut skewbald.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police, on 08458 505505

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Two miniature ponies that were stolen from their disabled owner last month were found on Friday (15 January), in a field in Edenbridge, Essex.

Horsewatch groups up and down the country have been on alert since 29 December when Bailey and Tinkerbell were taken from stables in Charlton, Middlesex.

They belong to Daniel Nicholls, 30, a former show jumper who was paralysed in a riding accident two years ago.

Mr Nicholls also set up a Facebook page and distributed hundreds of fliers.

A Horsewatch member saw the ponies in a field and contacted the police who were able to reunite Mr Nicholls with his ponies.

Betty Cobrol of Surrey Horsewatch said: “Through all the publicity we made it quite hot for anybody to keep them. This is a great result.”

Mr Nicholls told H&H: “I want to thank everyone so, so much for all their help and support in trying to find my miniature horses Bailey and Tinkerbell.

“Bailey is still her laid back self but Tinkerbell is still a bit traumatised by it all, but she is slowly coming round to being to back home.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped me get my horses back.”

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Scotland’s three Horsewatch groups have decided to band together to offer a service for riders across the entire country.

The UK Horsewatch network, modelled on the successful Neighbourhood Watch scheme, was set up by police across the UK to fight equine-related crime. Members receive email updates on crime prevention and incidents in their areas.

The Strathclyde group — set up in October — was the third group to be set up in Scotland, following Perth and Kinross Horsewatch, set up in 2008 and Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year.

But now a Horsewatch Scotland group has been created to manage the information sent out across the whole of Scotland.

Horsewatch Scotland coordinator, Fiona Stuart, said: “It will ensure all members are being fed the same information and advice, and we will be sharing one website making it easier for our members to find us when they need help, advice or just want to check our latest appeals.”

“Equine crime is ever growing and involves organised crime groups, not just opportunist thieves. We now have the support of three of Scotland’s police forces — with more coming on board soon hopefully — and many other equestrian businesses.

And police in Powys, Wales, are trying to set up a Horsewatch scheme. They will appealing for help from the public to run the group in the new year.

If you would like to volunteer, contact Pc Haydn Lavine on haydn.lavine@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk

The area contacts for Horsewatch in Scotland are:

Co-ordinator and Perth and Kinross — fiona.stuart@horsewatchscotland.info

Strathclyde — karen.beattie@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk

Grampian — david.paton@grampian.pnn.police.uk

Dumfries and Galloway — judith.Richardson@dg.pnn.police.uk

Fife — ian.laing@fife.pnn.police.uk

Tayside — donald.campbell@tayside.pnn.police.uk

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Horse theft in the UK has risen and is continuing to rise, according to police and horsewatch groups, who are urging horse owners to take measures to fight it.

Around 10 horses were stolen nationally in August, representing a hike in numbers, according to Garry Porter of the National Horsewatch Alliance.

Between 12-15 August, three young coloured fillies were stolen from Somerset, a yearling cob from Telford and a 13.2hh children’s pony from the Thames Valley area.

H&H has also heard of two botched attempts at thefts during that period, including one in Biggleswade where one of two stolen ponies fell through the floor of a stolen trailer and had to be put down.

David Collings, Horsewatch coordinator for Hampshire, said: “The main targets are cobs and miniatures, as they are easier to pick up.”

But over 1-2 September a Belgian warmblood worth £4,000 was taken from a livery yard in Iver, Bucks.

Helen Evans from Thames Valley Horsewatch said the theft of a quality horse is unusual.

“They usually get found pretty quickly,” she added.

Mr Porter agreed, adding: “We’ve never seen so many young foals going, either.”

He also urged owners to take extra security measures.

He said: “We see property identification as the main weapon. Microchipping is unique, but it’s not visible — it’s much more difficult to steal and sell a freeze-marked horse.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (10 September, ’09)

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Essex Horsewatch has put out a further appeal for information after the body of a dead and badly beaten pony was found dumped in a field in Pea Lane, Ockendon.

Valerie Crawford, of the Horsewatch group, said a farmer found the mare in his field, under a pile of wood a week ago.

The skewbald was around 14hh and had feathered front feet.

“The field was close to the road so we believe whoever dumped her may have dragged her into the field from a vehicle,” said Ms Crawford.

The mare, estimated to be 10 years old, had a broken eye socket, which was almost definitely sustained before death.

The mare’s ears had also been ringed in red tape and she had spots of purple spray all over her body.

“We want to find out who attacked her in this way,” said Ms Crawford. “She did not deserve this ill-treatment and must have died in great pain.”

If you have information, contact Essex Horsewatch in confidence at www.essexhorsewatch.org.uk

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Police and Horsewatch groups in Bedfordshire are warning owners in the area to be on their guard after a stolen pony died after falling through the floor of a stolen horse trailer.

Two ponies were stolen from a field in Edworth Road, Langford overnight last Wednesday (12 August) – Thursday (13 August).

The ponies were then loaded into a stolen trailer and driven away through Dunton.

The trailer was later found dumped in Croydon, Cambridgeshire. A passing motorist noticed the abandoned box at 12.20am and telephoned the police. On arrival they found a pony trapped inside.

Due to rotting floorboards one of the ponies, a black mare called Annie, fell through the bottom of the trailer and became trapped — seriously injuring her leg.

The fire brigade, RSPCA and a vet were called, but the pony’s injuries were too severe and she was put down at the scene.

The second pony — a skewbald mare called Jaylu — escaped and bolted when the trailer was abandoned. She was later found unhurt and was returned to her owner.

The police are now appealing for anyone who might have seen the trailer being towed to call them urgently.

“The thieves have not only committed a crime by stealing the horses, they have callously just unhitched the trailer when the bottom collapsed and driven off, leaving one of the ponies trapped and in terrible pain. Annie’s owner is understandably distraught about what has happened,” said PC Becky Wayland from Biggleswade police.

The trailer had the name Ambers Tressure etched inside it.

Anyone with information should contact Bedfordshire Police on (01234) 841212, or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

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A new Horsewatch scheme for the Wetherby and Harewood area of West Yorkshire will be launched on the first two days (14-15 July) of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Led by police community support officer (PCSO) Dan Siller of Wetherby police station, the scheme comes a year after a successful Farm Watch scheme was launched.

PCSO Dan Siller said: “Farm Watch has been very successful in bringing farmers together to share information and catch criminals.

“The crimes are mainly poaching, the laying of traps and the theft of small agricultural machinery.

“Now we’re going to do the same for horse owners. We will be asking people to join up, register their horses, giving descriptions of them, and then they can sign up for a text service where I can warn members of suspicious circumstances and generally feed the horse community valuable information.”

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Police are appealing for information over the theft of a very young foal from a field in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire on Thursday 18 June.

The distraught owners are desperate for its return as it is only two weeks old.

There were no signs of forced entry to its field nor tyre-marks but proximity to a wood meant thieves could have just lifted the foal over the fence.

Helen Evans of Thames Valley Horsewatch said: “The owners are very worried due to its age. It needs to be found as soon as possible.

“The colt is about 10hh, sandy coloured not quite palomino or dun, paler below, darker above, with four white socks and blue eyes. The dam is a Welsh section B.”

Ms Evans also reported some good news with the welcome and unexpected return of a horse stolen back in January this year.

She said: “A very distinctive black and white mare suddenly appeared outside her field this week, having been stolen three months ago along with a blue and white mare from a field in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

“The owners were thrilled. They can’t quite believe it.”

Ms Evans believes a highly vigorous publicity campaign involving leafleting and posters plus the very distinctive nature of the mare’s markings may have forced the thieves to return her. The blue and white mare is still missing.

If anyone has information about the missing foal please call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505505 quoting the crime reference GA3365153/09.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Hampshire Horsewatch group is holding a free tack marking session on Saturday 13 June and is inviting anyone whose tack is not postcoded to come along.

The session will be held at West Croft Livery Yard on Havant Road, Hayling Island, from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Police forces around the country are often left in the unenviable position of having to return tack they believe has been stolen to suspects because they have no way of proving it belongs to someone else.

If you postcode your tack, and all other items of your horse equipment, it can be easily returned to you.

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Suffolk Police launched Horsewatch countywide at the Suffolk Show, 27 and 28 May, with the aim of reducing rural and equine crime.

Running in mid Suffolk since September 2008, Horsewatch is now being extended by Suffolk Police to cover the whole county. The force intends to provide a network of information and support to all horse owners and riders.

“The aim of Horsewatch is to reduce the risk of equestrian-related crime by members being aware of the security measures they can take to protect their property,” said Julie Dennis of the Community Safety Unit.

Membership to Suffolk Horsewatch is free, and people are being encouraged to join, and establish co-operation in the equestrian community by passing on and receiving useful information to assist with crime prevention.

Members will be given the option to join the Police Direct messaging service, which enables them to receive up-to-date communications by either e-mail, text or voice recorded telephone messages, on community and equestrian crimes, as well as other information of potential relevance.

“As a horse owner I would urge equestrians to look closely at their security and postcode all of their equipment which, in the first instance will make their property undesirable to steal and secondly make it easier to identify should it be stolen and subsequently recovered,” Julie added.

Everyone is welcome to join the scheme — you do not need to own a horse to get involved.

For more information visit: www.suffolkpolice.uk and follow links to Horsewatch, or contact Julie Dennis of the Community Safety Unit, e-mail: horsewatch@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or tel: 01473 613994

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Thames Valley Police is imploring horse owners to postcode their tack after £25,000 worth was stolen in the Thames Valley area in past weeks.

Helen Evans, Thames Valley Horsewatch coordinator said: “It is such a simple thing to do. I’m surprised at how complacent people are.

“Just how many times do we need to tell them to get their kit marked? I’m amazed insurance companies keep paying up for unmarked stolen goods that will never find its way back to the original owner.

“It’s incredibly frustrating for the police, who, when investigating equine crime, find stolen goods but are unable to trace the legal owners.”

Ms Evans said Thames Valley Police suspects the robberies are being carried out by the same group of people.

She said: “They know what they are doing. They force entry and then usually just take the best tack. They use people’s wheelbarrows to cart it away. We always say put your wheelbarrows out of sight, it only helps thieves.”

More than 45 saddles have been stolen in the wave of robberies over the past few weeks. Only one was postcoded.

Ms Evans added: “People always say the police aren’t doing enough but if goods are retrieved, which they often are, the majority have to be destroyed as they have no ownership marks.”

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Thames Valley Horsewatch has brought out a “Christmas menu”, consisting of a checklist to help people keep thieves at bay.

The menu was sparked off by a recent spate of thefts in the area, in which nine trailers, seven Shetlands, two horseboxes and a large amount of tack have been stolen in the past six weeks.

“There’s a lot of it around at the moment,” said Thames Valley Horsewatch co-ordinator Helen Evans.

“The Christmas menu is to jolt people into choosing something positive they can do to prevent themselves becoming a victim of crime,” she said. “Also, it’s about getting rural communities together — keeping your eyes open and being suspicious of everything.”

The menu features 14 security measures, under the headings “starters”, “mains” and “dessert”, from post-coded saddlery to CCTV to a yard inventory.

Ms Evans points out that by incorporating some of these measures, owners will be assisting police.

“It’s not just about having stuff stolen, but finding it again,” she says. “It’s no good you saying you’ll recognise your stolen tack. If a policeman, who knows nothing about saddles, stops a white van at 2am in the morning — how will he know who it belongs to? If it has a postcode, he could check to see if there’s a crime reference number. Otherwise he has no reason to hold the suspect.”

Yorkshire horse owners have suffered the most of late. The latest Horsewatch Bulletin reports 11 tack thefts in the county during October and November. One raid included 20 saddles, another 14 saddles and 11 bridles, another £30,000 worth of tack. And good security is not always sufficient deterrent.

The Horsewatch newsletter advises: “Some thefts are well planned, with thieves arriving with large vehicles large. You can help deter these professionals by varying your daily routines not to be too predictable with your arrival times. And check your fencing. You may find your wire has been cut in readiness for a crime.”

HORSEWATCH CHRISTMAS MENU

Starters

• Freeze brand for horse
• Post-coded saddlery
• Security tagging for trailer
• Tracker for the horsebox

Mains

• Better padlocks
• Stronger chains
• Security lights
• Alarm
• CCTV
• Postcode for roof of box/trailer

Dessert

• Description of everything written down
• Yard awareness of security plans
• Emergency numbers to hand
• Complete security review

More security advice for stable yards.

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The UK Horsewatch Alliance believes that a website where users are invited to add to a photographic map of the country may explain why reports of men taking photographs of horses swept across the UK this summer (news, 12 June).

Geograph.org.uk intends to post a picture for every grid square of the Ordnance Survey (OS) map of the British Isles and Ireland. But it has been described as “a thief’s shopping list” by angry horse owners.

Users search by keywords or postcodes — a search for “horse” brings up all photographs with horses and an OS reference of the location.

UK Horsewatch Alliance chairman Garry Porter told H&H: “This would seem to explain the spate of photographers taking pictures of horses this year.

“I would be very concerned if my horse’s picture were to appear there. The most commonly stolen ponies are Shetlands and coloureds and these are the ones that catch the photographers’ eyes,” he added.

Horsewatch advises anyone concerned about pictures on the site to contact Geograph.

The Horse Trust was shocked to see pictures on the site of horses, ponies and donkeys living at the charity’s home of rest in Speen, Buckinghamshire. The charity says the pictures must have been taken on its land.

Horse Trust spokesman Susan Lewis said: “We have had people taking pictures of horses outside visiting hours.

“We do get involved in rescue cases and some horses here are the subject of court cases.”

An H&H reader, who did not want to be named, said: “Essentially, the site is providing any thief with a map of where horses and property are.”

But Paul Dixon, who runs the Geograph British Isles project, said: “We don’t feel that potentially dated photographs are a contributory factor in horse thefts.

“We have received only one complaint specifically regarding a horse in recent days.

“Photographs involving trespass or other privacy intrusion are dealt with swiftly.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (23 October, ’08)

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Essex Horsewatch is urging horse owners to sign a government petition for a change in horse passport law to stop stolen horses being sold on.

The organisation is also asking for traders who are authorised to issue passports to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and for a national passport database to be set up to allow instant access for police and vets.

As of this morning (Monday 6 October) the petition had 205 signatures.

The petition closes on 5 November.

To sign visit: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/horsepassports/

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West Mercia Police and Worcestershire Horsewatch are holding an equine crime prevention and safety event at Lybrook Farm Horse Trials (18-19 October).

Exhibits in the “security village” will include hi-vis items for horses and riders, trailer security items, freeze-marking, micro-chipping and tack marking systems.

PC Gail Greenhouse said: “This is a golden opportunity to reach thousands of horse-enthusiasts and up-date them on the latest developments in equine security.”

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Two horses in Herefordshire have been attacked in what members of the local Horsewatch group and the owner say could involve witchcraft.

The mane of a 10-year-old Welsh Cob was cut off and left at the scene in Upper Sapey, near Worcester, on 15 August, while a second horse suffered cuts near the mane, possibly sustained from scissors.

Police are examining a pair of scissors found near the scene.

Owner Amy Jones said the horses are traumatised: “It was very strange. There were marks on their faces. One had a strange L-shaped mark cut on its face.

“It was a full moon. This could well involve someone doing a black magic ritual with the mane, which was cut up. ”

A police spokesman said the incident might be related to another at Upton Bishop, near Ross-On-Wye on 3 August when three horses had their manes cut off.

Ali Cann, chairman of Herefordshire and Shropshire Horsewatch urged local horse owners to join the group and share information.

She said: “Horse people need to act together and share information, particularly at the moment it is vital.”

If anyone has further information call West Mercia Police on 08457 444888.

ends

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HORSEWATCH members from all over the country will descend on Buxton in Derbyshire this weekend for the national meeting of the UK Horsewatch Alliance.

The meeting takes place between 11am and 3pm on Saturday (3 November) at the police headquarters in the town.

Groups meet at regular intervals to work together to provide a network of information and support to combat equine crime.

If your Horsewatch group has not yet signed up to go, contact Erika Green as soon as possible at erika.green1756@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk

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Horsewatch, the national co-ordinator for equine and equine-related crime, is teaming up with Sky Watch, a group of volunteer pilots and their observers, who scour the countryside, eyes peeled, to help beat lorry, trailer and horse theft.

“A small aeroplane provides unique observation, which is impossible on the ground. At all times, the pilot has a detailed view of 10sq ml and can monitor 100sq ml,” said Sky Watch chairman and founder Arnold Parker.

A registered charity, Sky Watch was set up six years ago following an accident in which some children were killed when playing on a railway line. Mr Parker felt the tragedy might have been avoided if someone had spotted the children, and the idea caught on. Sky Watch now has 14 units with 160 aircraft across England and Scotland, making it the largest auxiliary air observation and search service in Europe.

The pilots — who fly regularly to keep up their “flying hours” to retain their licences — donate their time and aircraft free of charge, to give something back to the community. They have worked with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Mountain Rescue, Farm Watch and CountryWatch as well as Caravan Watch and TruckWatch.

Thames Valley Horsewatch chairman Garry Porter contacted Sky Watch last November, after learning about the group from FarmWatch (Norfolk) Ltd.

“We now pass on our regular Horsewatch updates [to Sky Watch headquarters in Worcestershire], so when they’re up there, Sky Watch pilots can keep a lookout for stolen vehicles,” he told H&H. “They can help best looking for stolen horseboxes and trailers — it’s harder for them to search for horses unless one is galloping up a main road or something similar.”

One Sky Watch pilot spotted a cow swimming up the River Avon in Somerset, while another found vehicles stowed away in a roofless barn — visible from the air, but not from the ground.

By marking the tops of trailers and lorries, they can be identified easily from the air, providing it is done in large enough letters.

Mr Parker added: “We find that when equipment like this is stolen, it’s not taken very far. If it’s taken by professionals, it will be driven to a location within three or four miles and parked up. We ask people to mark vehicles with a contrasting colour in the postcode because it is instantly recognisable from the air.”

How to mark your vehicle

• Garry Porter of Thames Valley Horsewatch advises: “Mark the vehicle inside and out — scratch your postcode into it. On the partions, breast bars, the spare wheel, everywhere. The more it is marked the less desirable to thieves it is.”
• Sky Watch suggest marking the top with black tape used for silage sacks — it has to be wide enough to be seen from the air.
• Thames Valley Horsewatch advocates postcode lettering available from FastSigns, at £30 per set (tel: 01923 211777).

Read this news story in full in today’s Horse & Hound (1 March, ’07)

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