HORSE WATCH MESSAGES
Worcestershire Horse Watch is about welfare and security of horses and equipment. We depend on you, to depend on us, to provide the Police and RSPCA with the help they need to fight cruelty, abuse, and theft of horses, and the constant ‘magpie’ thefts of equine equipment.
What we see, hear, suspect together with up to date security measures, are the only weapons we have with which to beat criminals, and enable the return of stolen property to its distressed owner.
We regularly stop the unnecessary suffering of horses. This is achieved by various means. Often, we have no option but to report neglect, cruelty and abuse to the RSPCA and or the Police. Sometimes experienced and qualified Horse Watch Members offer preventative advice. (not all neglect and cruelty is intentional) and there are occasions when abandoned, straying, or recovered stolen horses need bed and breakfast, or even longer accommodation. We can offer that facility.
By joining Horsewatch you will receive regular newsletters and will be alerted as soon as possible via the internet of equine crime across Britain. If your horse, tack or trailer is stolen Horsewatch members everywhere will be alerted. The more members Horsewatch has the better the information can be spread.
admin@worcestershirehorsewatch.co.uk
MARK ALL EQUIPMENT WITH SMARTWATER
29/07/2008
Horse Equipment Stolen - Peopleton
Horse equipment has been stolen from a shed at a stables in Peopleton, near Pershore.
The incident took place at Stone Arrow Farm between 19:30 on July 25 and 10:00 on July 26.
Offender/s broke into the shed and took a £120 Weatherbeater horse rug, two head collars, stirrup leathers and irons and a number of body protectors and hats. A small plant generator worth £35 was also stolen.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious at the time of the incident or is offered such equipment under unusual circumstances is asked to contact police on 08457 444 888, quoting 322/S/260708, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
16/07/2008
Please see below two tack theft incidents:
Between 8th and 15th July - HORTON, TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE
Person(s) unknown have removed items of horse tack from a horse lorry parked in a field next to home address. Property described as: x1 brown Stuben saddle, x1 brown GP saddle, x1 black leather bridle and x1 sheepskin numnah.
Overnight 14th/15th July - UPPER SAPEY, WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
Person(s) unknown have entered a barn and forced the padlock off the tack room situated inside the barn. Saddles and bridles have been stolen but a number of others left in situ. Property described as: x1 brown Stuben saddle, x1 black 16inch saddle, x1 black saddle, x4 bridles.
11/07/2008
The following message is going to Neighbourhood Watch in Broadheath and surrounding areas, plus to Farm Watch across the wider area.
Please note that between 2000hrs on 5th July and 1600hrs on 7th July unknown person(s) stole two horse saddles plus various other items of tack from an insecure stables in the Lower Broadheath area.
Please mention this to your members and if you or they have seen anything suspicious or possibly related, please call it through to the call centre, via the switchboard on 08457 444888, quoting the incident reference number (166-S-080708).
19/06/2008
Please note the following equine/rural crime update. There have been recent reports of three Ifor Williams trailers being stolen in recent days across the wider West Mercia force area. One (double axle, 1.8 ton, 8ft x 4ft, model TT85E) from Moreton on Lugg on 12th June (incident ref 58-S-120608), one containing trampolines stolen from the driveway of a house in the Shifnal area on 18th June (incident ref 39-S-180608) and one (twin axle, 9ft x 5ft, value between £4000-5000) from the Pershore area (Incident ref 278-S-180608).
Please report any suspicious sightings, or anything else that may be related, seen in those areas to the West Mercia police call centre, via the switchboard on 08457 444888, quoting the relevant incident reference number. Many thanks.
05/06/2008Apparently there has been some confusion re the suspicious males reported taking photographs of horses, as previously relayed to yourselves - please note the below.
Thank you.
Dear All
Further to my email last night, it appears that word has started to get around about the suspicious Red Land Cruiser N253XAJ. I can confirm that this registration has appeared on different vehicles but always in the same circumstances (two males taking photographs of horses or acting suspiciously around equestrian locations). In addition to the N253XAJ number, vehicle registration B16RBB has also been noted in similar circumstances.
Unfortunately, the information about the horse thefts from Cannock does not appear to be accurate (I took this information from internet postings by other Horsewatch groups). Due to this, the on-line equestrian communities have become concerned these reports are a hoax. There appears to have been round-robin texting going on which has added to the ‘hoax’ theory. As far as I am aware, these vehicles and males have been travelling quite substantially across the UK (from Devon to Greater Manchester) hence the sheer volume of concerned text messages being sent to horse owners (probably instigated by various Horsewatch groups).
Although there has only been one confirmed horse theft linked to these circumstances (Greater Manchester crime reference 130643S/08), these various reports of ‘photograph taking’ appear to be genuine.
I would be grateful if a Horsewatch member/coordinator could perhaps complete an internet posting to confirm these reports are genuine (not an urban myth/hoax) and for members to remain vigilant but not alarmed by these recent reports.
Many thanks for your help,
Hollie
Hollie Phillips C8736
Intelligence Analyst
Life at Risk/Protecting Vulnerable People Desk
Force Intelligence Bureau
Tel: 01905 331991
Ext: 2991
Email: hollie.phillips@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
5th March – 3rd June 2008
Suspicious Males
Nationally there have been numerous sighting of 2 suspicious males taking photographs of horses. Vehicles linked to these incidents include:
· White Van bearing registration N253XAJ
· Black Peugeot bearing registration N253XAJ
· Red Toyota Landcruiser
There have been similar sightings around the West Mercia force area since the 21st May. Members are urged to make note of vehicle registration numbers (even if only part of a number is recorded) if suspicious vehicles or persons are causing concern.
21st May – Ross on Wye
Reported 2nd June following national Horsewatch alert - Livery yard owner noticed 2 males acting suspiciously on a footpath leading through horse’s field. Males described as Eastern European in appearance with white t-shorts, very dark hair and just under 6ft tall. No vehicles seen but gate removed off hinges.
23rd May - Pershore
Reported 3rd June following national Horsewatch alert – Horse owner noticed 2 males photographing his horses. Vehicle used was dark blue Renault Megane. Males described as Asian, both 6ft, dark hair, slim build and well dressed.
26th May 2008 – Tenbury Wells
Possible but unconfirmed attempt theft of coloured stallion. Following national Horsewatch alert believe a Red Toyota Landcruiser seen in the area bearing registration N253XAJ.
29th May 2008 – Ledbury
2 Eastern European Males driving a red vehicle seen taking photographs of horses at a field in Ledbury.
APPLEBY HORSE FAIR 2007 - 5th to 12th June 2008
This Annual event in Cumbria has been on going since the 1400’s and every year attracts a significant amount of people to buy and sell horses and harness race. All kinds of horses are bought and sold at the fair but the traditional Piebald/Skewbald heavy weight cobs predominate.
Appleby Tourist Information Centre
Moot Hall, Boroughgate
Appleby-in-Westmorland
Cumbria
CA16 6XE
Telephone 017683 51177
Fax 017683 51177
E-mail tic@applebytown.org.uk
Website www.applebytown.org.uk
During May/June 2006 three separate coloured cobs were stolen from the West Mercia force area. There have been recent thefts of coloured horses from our West Midland neighbours. In view of this, horse owners should be extra vigilant during the next few days leading up to the Fair.
03/06/2008
This message is going to all areas in South Worcestershire.
Please note that there have been reports from all across central England of a small group of people taking photographs of horses on private land. It is suspected that the pictures are then advertised for sale, and when interest is shown, the horse is stolen to order.
Two vehicles are believed to be involved - a red Toyota Land Cruiser, and a white van. The registration B16 RBB has been seen on both vehicles.
Please report any suspicious sightings to the Call Centre, via the switchboard on 08457 444888 or 999 in an emergency.
Please note that we have had a report of a suspicious vehicle seen at approx midday in Collin Lane, Broadway - it was a "fairly new" yellow tipper Ford Transit (no registration details available) and contained 3 males (no descriptions available).
Please be mindful, and report any suspicious sightings to the call centre, via the switchboard on 08457 444888 (or 999 in an emergency) - if calling in a possible sighting of the vehicle above, please quote incident ref number 363-S-230408. Thank you.
Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police
Force Intelligence Bureau,
Police Headquarters,
P.O. Box 99
Llangunnor, Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire. SA31 2PF.
Tel: 08453302000 / Fax: 01267 226329email: dppfibgroup@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
Date: 15th April 2008 Bulletin no: 31
Offence – Theft of a horse box
CRIME- ATO/0915/28/03/2008/01/C
Sometime between Thursdays 27th March 2008 and Friday 28th March 2008 a blue and white Iveco Ford Livestock Horse Carrier Box Registration No. H779GTV valued at £10,000 was stolen from
The Horsebox was formerly owned by the Durham Constabulary
It is requested that this bulletin be circulated to horse watch co-ordinators to distribute amongst their members.
Any information regarding this theft please contact PC 915 Gibbard-Jones at Llandeilo Police Station or the Divisional Intelligence Unit at Llanelli, Tel No: 0845-330-2000 ext 726325
Authorising Officer: DI Shane Williams