AVON and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens joins the police's Rural Crime Team tomorrow, Thursday, March 5, at events to mark the forcewide launch of Horse Watch.

The force has already signed up more than 1,200 people and livery yards to the scheme and they receive regular alerts about crime prevention, stolen property which might be offered for sale and any intelligence we can share about suspicious activities.

There is also a Facebook page with more than 2,000 followers to share the information even more widely.

As well as signing up more people to Horse Watch, the Rural Crime Team and rural beat officers will be offering security and crime prevention advice, as well as free tack marking to anyone taking their saddle along to help deter thieves or help return stolen property to rightful owners.

Sgt Stuart Williams, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “I’m delighted we’re able to launch Horsewatch for the entire force area with 1,200 people and livery yards already signed up after it was successfully created in North Somerset some years ago, and hope we’ll sign up more.

“The strength of schemes like Horsewatch is built on the number of people who join so we can receive information from them, pass it on to other members and work together on crime prevention.”

One of the features of the launch is a recruitment drive for volunteers from amongst Horse Watch members to help with administration of the scheme.

Rural Crime Team and local beat officers will be at the following venues.

 

THURSDAY, MARCH 5.

*11am to 2pm: Countrywide, Wylds Road, Bridgwater.

*10am to 1pm: Mane Event Saddlery, Pylle.

*10am to 4pm: Murphys Saddlery, Hewish.

*2pm to 3.30pm: C.J. Puddy Saddlery, Marksbury.

*3pm to 7pm Badger Livery Yard, Badger Street, Taunton.

*Members of the Wellington Beat Team will be visiting equine establishments in the Wellington areas between 10am and 6pm.

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 6.

*11am to 4pm: Countrywide, North Street, Crewkerne.