Warning to Staffordshire horse owners after spate of equipment thefts

According to Staffordshire Police there has been an 'exceptional increase' in the theft of equestrian equipment over the last three months.

(Since December), 35 incidents of tack theft have been reported to Staffordshire Police, with more than £20,000 worth of saddlery stolen from one owner in Eccleshall.

Thieves forced entry to a tackroom last month, breaking through four locked doors to steal a large amount saddles, bridles, harness sets and trap sets.

Further suspicious incidents and attempted burglaries have been reported and riders are being urged to increase vigilance at stables across the county.

In February, thieves entered a secure building in Husphins Lane, Codsall. Nothing was taken but cameras and lights were removed and placed in a bucket of water.

In January, thieves ransacked a riding school in South Staffordshire, stealing more than £5,000 worth of equipment from County Lane stables, Iverley, near Stourbridge.

Staffordshire Horsewatch Co-ordinater, PCSO Lucy Hadfield, said: "We often see peaks and troughs of equestrian related thefts but we've recently seen an exceptional amount of tack thefts in the county.

"Isolated rural locations are particularly vulnerable and we'd urge anyone with stables in such an area steps up their security as much as possible. Regular tack marking sessions mean it's now easier than ever to make your equipment identifiable."

She added: "We would encourage yard owners to speak to their equestrian neighbours to share information and keep an eye out for one another, reporting anything suspicious to police immediately.

Ahead of the competition season, riders and owners are also advised to review their trailer and box security to prevent equine crime.

"As part of their routine duties officers carry out regular patrols of identified vulnerable rural areas. However, we're keen to build a better picture of yard locations to make sure patrols can target the right areas."

Staffordshire Horsewatch was founded in 1993, following horrific attacks on horses in other parts of the country and a general increase in horse related crime including tack and horse trailers being stolen.

The scheme aims to help owners make their animals and property identifiable by marking

Owners can find out more about tack marking on March 14 at Eccleshall Saddlery and Animal Health and at Stafford Horse Trials on March27-28.

Staffordshire Police is advising anyone who is offered tack for sale in suspicious circumstance, or at a knock down price, is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101.

Officers are also offering crime prevention advice to yard owners and for more information email Lucy.Hadfield@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk