Police warning over stable thefts

Laurence Cawley

HORSE and animal owners have been urged by police to secure their stables after thousands of pounds of equipment was stolen in a spate of thefts.

Many stable tack rooms are isolated wooden structures, often without power for lighting or intruder alarms making them very vulnerable, especially in the darker winter months, Suffolk police warned last night.

In recent months there have been several thefts from across west Suffolk.

Crime reduction officer Les King called on owners to store tack or saddles in brick built rooms with well-fitted solid wood doors wherever possible.

He said: “Wooden structures can also be secured with the same level of physical security, including the hinges. All larger tack rooms should be protected with an intruder alarm system, saddles should be photographed and all saddlery should be security marked, including head collars, bridles and rugs.”

He said a marking service is offered by the police's safer neighbourhood teams which uses a range of techniques including freeze branding, micro-chipping, stamping kits, permanent maker pens or engraving.

He also recommended people join Farmwatch and Horsewatch which operate in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch and urged anybody offered tack or animal husbandry to contact the police.

“Thieves must be selling the items they have stolen, so if you are offered saddles or other equestrian equipment at too good to be true prices or in an unusual location, tell police immediately.

“Check if the equipment has been marked, and officers can then check if the item has been reported as lost or stolen,” said Mr King.

Anyone with any information about thefts of equestrian equipment should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

For further information about getting items security marked contact the safer neighbourhood team on 01473 613500 or visit www.safersuffolk.org.uk.