Horse Watch

East Riding of Yorkshire is a fabulous place for horse riders and owners, whether it be galloping along the shore, trekking through the countryside, or training the competitive horse in the local fields. However, it is a sad fact that horses, trailers, lorries, and tack can occasionally disappear without a trace. Humberside Police are relaunching their Horse Watch to try and combat this problem.

Being a member of Horse Watch can help to protect you from crime by giving you access to security advice and information which will help you to keep your equine and tack safe. You will also receive information on equine related incidents from across the East Riding so you can be aware of any suspicious activity that may occur.

PCSO Darren Bainton said: “Equine crime can be soul-destroying, and that is not just down to the financial loss, but also the emotional distress it causes.

“Everyone is a potential target for thieves but getting a Horse Watch membership allows us to pass on the advice that you need to help you prevent crime.

“We offer security advice on all aspects of horse ownership and yard security, whether you own just one horse or a competition yard.”

Below is some helpful advice and guidance to prevent yourself from becoming a

Staying Safe

• Make sure you return home safely from your ride by following a few safety tips:
• Be seen at all times – wear high visibility clothing all year round, even in summer, as a horse and rider may be easily hidden in the shadows on country roads
• Always tell someone where you are going and at what time you expect to return
• Take your mobile phone with you if possible
• Try not to ride after dark. If it is impossible to avoid, make sure that you and your horse can be easily seen by wearing reflective clothing, stick to well-lit areas where possible and carry a torch

Further safety advice can be found on The British Horse Society website, where you can also download a range of free advice leaflets on subjects from Access and Rights of Way to Welfare.

Crime Prevention Advice
Perimeter

• Regularly check your fences, hedges and gates for damage or weakness and repair them as soon as possible
• Consider turning your gate hinges upside down and weld if necessary so they cannot be lifted off the hinges, but can still be opened and closed for access
• Ensure that gates are securely locked when not in use

Buildings and Security

• Ensure that all buildings within your yard are well maintained
• Carry out regular checks looking for rusted and broken locks, loose hinges, cracked window glass or rotten frames as opportunist thieves look for features such as these
• If you keep tack in your yard, ensure it is kept in a securely locked room, but do not advertise that it is the tack room
• Install internal bars on windows
• Invest in good quality secure locks, hinges, and padlocks
• Ideally, “Dusk to Dawn” lights should be used as opposed to sensor lights as they give out a low-level continuous light
• CCTV needs to be considered carefully as to what you want from the system
• Alarms are a good deterrent; there are many on the market that can send text messages to your mobile phone or linked to iPad
• Do not leave vehicles unlocked when unattended or be tempted to load vehicles the night before travelling to an event or show
• Ensure any valuables are removed from vehicles; you do not know who is watching your vehicle/trailer/horsebox when you leave it

Horse/Pony

• Before purchasing, consider checking the Stolen Horse Register which is accessible on www.stolenhorseregister.com
• Keep up to date records and photos or your horse or pony to include Breed, Height, Colour, Markings, Branding and Age

Tack Marking & Inventory

• Engrave/punch your postcode or identifying number onto your tack; if your tack is marked, it will make it harder for the thief to sell on
• Rugs can be marked with your postcode by using either permanent marker or paint
• Keep an up-to-date inventory of all your vehicles, tack and equipment including colour, make and security markings together with photographs
• Ensure that records are kept secure and not left where they are easily accessible to others
• Do not be tempted to load vehicles the night before travelling to an event or show
• Take photographs of your trailers and horseboxes and make a note of any distinguishing features including chassis/serial numbers
• Consider painting your vehicle registration on top of the trailer/horsebox roof and fit a tracking device as well
• Ensure your vehicle is secure when unattended in your yard, at shows, events, or parked in a beauty spot or road siding

Suspicious Activity
Take note of any unknown vehicles or people you see in your yard or on your property.

Make a note of their description, vehicle make, colour and/or registration number, then report it to your local Police on 101. If you see a crime taking place, call 999 immediately.

Contact Humberside Police
Contact the Horse Watch team on the community email address: withernsea@humberside.pnn.police.uk
Please be aware that the Horse Watch inbox is for non-urgent general enquiries only and is not monitored daily. To report incidents, please call the police on 101.

Additional Links
For Security and Crime Prevention advice please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or local Crime Prevention Advisor specific to your individual needs by phoning 101. Information can also be found online on our website.

Information relating to the quality and use of security products is available on www.soldsecure.com.

Horse Watch Alliance UK has provided useful information relating to riding, equipment, and vehicle safety together with links to Horse Watch Groups around the UK. You can view and join the group here.