This came in from the Police over the weekend. Ed
Police are asking horse owners to be vigilant after three separate reports of burglaries at stables on the Isle of Wight
Horse rugs and blankets, equine medicine and feed bowls were among the items reported stolen in burglaries at stables across the island during December 2010.
PC Tim Campany, one of Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Country Watch officers said:
“These reports of burglaries are prompting us to alert horse riders and stable owners across the island. Specialist thieves sometimes target stables and other rural premises where they know security might not be so tight, and where it is less likely that someone will be around. Burglars know there is a possibility that what they steal cannot be personalised by the real owners.
“I’m reminding horse owners and riders to check and reinforce security precautions at their stables. We would also encourage people in the equine community to contact one of the Isle of Wight’s dedicated Country Watch officers for advice and support on how to protect their property. This would include the offer of crime prevention measures such as tack marking.”
The Country Watch scheme is a network that allows specialist police officers to communicate information quickly and efficiently at short notice with the rural community. This includes descriptions of people and vehicles involved in suspicious behaviour at farms, stables, and in remote neighbourhoods.
For more information and advice, go online to the following web pages:
Get in touch
Anyone with information about suspects or the equine property reported stolen is asked to contact police by phoning 101 or emailing Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch network via [email protected]
From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
