9:00pm Tuesday 2nd March 2010
By Phil Hill
AN initiative to protect horses and combat the theft of equine gear is coming to the Wellington area – thanks to an Exmoor policeman taking his work home.
PC Tess Wood picked up on the idea – the brainchild of her husband, PC Nick Wood - after spotting logos and notes he was working on.
Horse Watch is a localised version of a national scheme following concerns about speeding vehicles, rural theft and incidents of horse plaiting.
PC Nick Wood, of the Exmoor beat team, is launching the scheme to enable members to send intelligence to officers and receive crime prevention tips and for targeted police patrols in vulnerable areas.
Members will receive Horse Watch posters to display in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch Schemes to warn off would-be criminals.
PC Nick Wood said: “Currently there are few crimes against the equine community and we’re anxious to keep like that.
“Sharing intelligence and becoming more personable and available to the equine community can only promote and raise awareness to issues early on.
“The Exmoor Pony Centre has raised concerns about inappropriate speed on the moor and is anxious to reduce the incidence of pony injuries recently experienced.”
PC Tess Wood is introducing Wellington Horse Watch in the Wellington monument and Bradford-on-Tone areas.
“She saw my logos and idea of a localised scheme and has adopted it for her area,” said PC Nick Wood.
“The family joke is that she pinched the idea from me, although it’s hoped the localised scheme will be adopted in other parts of the force area.”
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