Reduce the Incidents of Equine Related Crimes
Every year horses and equine equipment worth hundreds of thousands of pounds - but an emotional and sentimental value that cannot be quantified - is stolen in Hampshire.
Specialist thieves 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.
And they know that there is a strong possibility that what they steal cannot be personalised by the real owner.
As a response to this problem Hampshire Constabulary is spearheading a Hampshire Horsewatch scheme in a bid to cut this tide of thefts and heartache for the owners of horses.
The schemes aim is to offer advice and guidance to all those involved in equestrian pursuits - no matter how large or small their roles might be - on the best ways to ensure they don't get an unwelcome call from the equine criminals.
These pages on this web-site offer the chance to join the scheme, provide advice on cheap and simple crime prevention measures that horse and stable owners could take to protect their property and animals and eventually will provide a database of identifiable equine equipment and horses that have been stolen, along with photographs.
As part of the scheme Hampshire Constabulary has appointed Detective Inspector David Collings as the Force Equine Liaison Officer and has appointed Equine Liaison Officers across the two counties who will be the point of contact for anyone concerned about equine crime and what they can do to prevent it.
The aims and objectives of the Hampshire Horsewatch are to prevent and reduce the incidents of Equine related crimes.
Additionally members of Horsewatch will strive to improve on the awareness of crime issues in conjunction with Hampshire Constabulary.
The Hampshire Horsewatch is part of the national Horsewatch scheme covering the majority of police forces in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Hampshire Horsewatch is within the South East Region of the national Horsewatch scheme. The south east region consists of Surrey, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Bedfordshire, Thames Valley and Hampshire.
The Hampshire Horsewatch is two tiered at county level and local level.
At county level it consists of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, media officer, membership secretary, minutes secretary and regional co-ordinators.
At local level, directly beneath the county structure, Hampshire Horsewatch is arranged to identify with the present divisional structure of Hampshire Constabulary. Local Horsewatch schemes are organised by local communities under the direction of local co-ordinators.
Click here to download the whole Hampshire Horsewatch brochure (.pdf, 2.65MB).
The Aims of Hampshire Horsewatch
The aims of Hampshire Horsewatch are:
- To get the equine community to look after their property, horses, tack, stables, trailers and horseboxes more efficiently and effectively.
- To work for safer communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by being extra vigilant. Crime can happen to your neighbour as well as you!
Hampshire Horsewatch is community run but operating a working partnership with Hampshire Constabulary.
While there are Equine Liaison Officers supporting the scheme and its members it needs local people to come together to form a network of ‘watches’ which will collectively be known as Hampshire Horsewatch.
A Central Committee will pass information to the local watches through a volunteer co-ordinator and vice-versa.
Hampshire Horsewatch is a phoenix rising from the ashes of previous Horsewatches set up in the two counties.
There is no membership fee for joining but a donation to Hampshire Horsewatch to assist with administration costs would be welcome (cheques made payable to Hampshire Horsewatch).
If you are interested in joining the scheme please download the form by clicking the relevant link below.
You can then print it off and send it back to:
Community Safety Department
Police Headquarters
West Hill
Romsey Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB
News
Bulletins For the latest news bulletins that will be of interest and use to members of the equine community throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and wider afield too, visit www.nfed.co.uk/horsewatch
Why Join Horsewatch?
Crimes committed against the equine community are invariably premeditated which means they should be preventable. Help yourself and your friends to safeguard your property by taking simple security measures. Click here to register today using our online form.
Wanted - Horsewatch Members for the Committee
A few hours a month to spare then why not give some support and help to this community based scheme working in partnership with the Hampshire Constabulary to reduce not just Equine Related offences but Rural Crime in general.
We are looking to share the committee roles so that time is kept to a minimum.
If you have a particular skill or talent that you would like to share and assist the committee with then please contact either Hampshire Horsewatch 07762 754788 or David Collings - Force Equine Liaison Officer 07867 972 868 for more information.
Useful Links
The following web-sites may provide useful contacts to search for stolen horse and equine property. The web site is relatively new and has the support of many police forces, including Hampshire.
It is intended that these sites will incorporate all property and owners/losers/potential purchasers should use the site to check property before they buy.
If anyone thinks they can identify stolen property from the sites then contact and Equine Liaison Officer.
In addition the following sites may be of interest:
