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SECURE
YOUR STABLES THIS WINTER
Suffolk
Police are appealing to stable owners to be vigilant after a recent
spate of thefts from stables and tack rooms across west Suffolk where
over £9000 worth of equestrian and animal equipment has been
stolen. Police are also advising owners to review their current
security measures to prevent further offences.
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. Crime Reduction Officer Les
King advises that ideally all tack or saddles should be contained
within a brick built room, with a well-fitted solid wooden door
secured with a high-security close shackle padlock and bar. However,
for owners who do not have premises like this, he recommends, “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.”
The
marking, either a postcode and house number or name, can be achieved
through freeze branding, micro-chipping, stamping kits, permanent
maker pens or engraving. Safer Neighbourhood Teams can often provide
this service to local groups, for further information contact your
local SNT on 01473 613500 or visit www.safersuffolk.org.uk
Farmwatch
and Horsewatch are in operation across the county – like
Neighbourhood Watch, they provide members with information on crime
in their area via Police Direct,
plus advice on keeping
yourself and your property safe.
The
main aims of Farm/Horsewatch are to
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Reduce
opportunities for crime and vandalism through advice, information on
offences and vigilance
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Strengthen
community spirit so that everyone can play a part in protecting
their property
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Improve
two-way communication between farmers, rural communities and the
police
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Reduce
fear of crime in rural areas
As part of Farmwatch or Horsewatch,
members will receive
messages from Suffolk Constabulary’s messaging service Police
Direct, and the NFU’s own e-mail messaging service. People signed
up to Police Direct receive information by e-mail or text about
crimes or incidents relevant to their location or business soon after
they happen. More information about Police Direct can be found on the
Suffolk Constabulary website www.suffolk.police.uk
, or contact your local Community Watch Liaison Officer if you are a
member and not getting the messages through the correct channels.
Anyone offered any tack or animal
husbandry items for sale in suspicious circumstances should contact
police. Mr King continues, “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.”
Anyone with any information about
thefts of equestrian equipment should contact Suffolk Police on 01473
613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Further information about Horse or
Farm Watch can be obtained from your local Crime Reduction Officer or
Community Watch Liaison Officer.
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