Rural thefts tackled by horse watch scheme (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rural thefts tackled by horse watch scheme

Pictured at the presentation of the new Horsewatch car at Kington Langley Stud, from left, are MP James Gray, jockey Jo Storrie, PC Heather Barham, Mike Rolf from Honda, and horse dentist and owner Bob Livock 17392/05WILTSHIRE Horsewatch has had a major boost that will help crack down on the escalating number of rural thefts.

Last Wednesday, September 28, Honda presented a police car to representatives of the equine organisation, which means they can promote themselves around the county.

The police team visits riding stables, livery yards, farms and shops, offering advice on how to outwit thieves, and nationally they aim to prevent and solve equine-related crimes.

They pass on information about stolen tack and machinery and vehicles suspected of being used in such thefts to others outside the county.

Rural officer, PC Heather Barham has been involved with Horsewatch for 14 years.

She said: "Wiltshire has been subjected to at least three thefts every month of items from stables and farms, from saddles to quad bikes. This is still taking place across the county.

"The more we can spread information, the better."

The Honda Civic vehicle was presented to Wiltshire Constabulary last Wednesday at Kington Langley Stud, on Ashes Lane.

It will be used on patrol and to take to shows, and it features the Horsewatch logo the force crest emblazoned with a horse shoe.

"We've never had our own logo before," PC Barham said.

"Hopefully it will raise people's awareness. I've already had a lot of positive feedback. So many people didn't even know we had a Horsewatch in Wiltshire, so it proves it is working."

PC Barham explained they hoped the public would get involved in the Horsewatch scheme in the same way they support their local Neighbourhood Watch.

"The aim of Horsewatch is to spread information to the public and get information back," she said.

"People are often afraid to ring in with a registration number, but if they see a vehicle that looks suspicious we would like to hear from them.

"We'd rather have 100 false numbers to get to the one right number. We rely on the public to give us information to enable us to act on things."

She said the Horsewatch team are trying to get as many horses freeze branded as possible to enable them to be traced if stolen, and they hoped to hold tack-marking sessions before the end of the year.

PC Barham continued: "The only way to prevent these crimes is to make it as difficult as possible for the would-be thief to gain entry to property.

"They need security devices in place, from locks to alarms, observant members of the public who will pass on vehicle numbers and descriptions to the police, giving us a greater chance of apprehending them and to make it hard for them to dispose of stolen goods due to them being marked in such a way they would pose a risk to the thief, of being caught.

"If we take away their market there is no purpose in stealing it in the first place."

She also said it was important to mark the animals and equipment so they could be returned to the rightful owner if they were recovered.

"It doesn't just stay in our area. It travels," she said. "We are trying to work as a country, not just for our county."

Horsewatch relies on sponsorship and PC Barham said it would be greatly appreciated if anyone can offer to sponsor the organisation.

She also explained the team hoped to hold a security event in December, but they needed to hear from people who might be interested and they urge anyone with information about equine-related thefts to contact the police, which can be done anonymously.

PC Barham is available on (01249) 654455.