Dorset Police warn horse owners about spate of thefts
Suspicious activity has been reported in the last week
Dorset's rural police team are warning horse owners about a spike in thefts and suspicious activity at stables across the county.
Incidents have been reported in the West Parley, Weymouth and Sherborne areas in the last week alone.
There are concerns that with the Spring weather arriving, more riding equipment will be in equine centre, and an increase in horses out to pasture or on rides leaves stables empty for longer periods of time.
Officers have put out some crime prevention advice:
- Is your stables/yard alarmed with trigger beams?
- Is your yard well lit?
- Consider gate alarms and hidden cameras which can alert you instantly if someone unauthorised is on your property
- Make sure all your equine equipment is marked and photographed, in particular saddles
Owners are also being encouraged to join the local Horsewatch scheme, or even take part in local patrols, as 'mounted eyes and ears' for the county.