Extra security for horse owners

Extra security for horse owners

Saddles and bridles will be postcoded

Horse owners on Tyneside are being given the chance to save thousands of pounds by adding extra security to their riding gear.

Northumbria Police is giving people the chance to have tack - such as saddles and bridles security - stamped free of charge as well as offering them crime prevention advice.

Under the security stamping scheme, the owner's postcode and house number is marked onto the gear.

In case of theft, the unique code can then be traced directly to the owner.

Officers will travel to stables to provide the service if it is needed by ten or more people.

No insurance

Pc Bev Sparke, of Northumbria Police, said it was hugely expensive to replace anything that is stolen.

She said: "Often the equipment is not insured. It means the cost of buying replacements runs into hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds.

"Through this service if the tack is stolen we will be able to trace it back to its rightful owner."

She also reminded people to keep their tack room secure at all times and to watch out for strangers coming into the stable yard.