Commissioner’s fund pays for new scheme to help riders get their tack safe
Under its Tacksafe scheme, officers and PCSOs from the task force are touring the area offering people the chance to get tack and other equipment permanently marked as a deterrent to thieves.
Among the first to get their tack protected were Belinda Dobson and Brooklyn Gardner from Granby Livery Yard in Harrogate who are pictured getting a saddle marked with an individual, easily-traceable code.
From left to right are: Belinda, Brooklyn and her horse Jasper, commissioner Julia Mulligan and PCSO Bryan Tongue.
“Equestrian equipment can be expensive and the purpose of the scheme is to deter would-be thieves by making tack traceable and too risky to sell on,” said Julia.
“A number of stables and livery yards have been targeted recently and riders are keen to do what they can to keep their tack safe.”
Belinda said: “It’s a daily worry. I leave the yard at 6 o’clock each night and I’m nervous about what I’m going to find when I get back the next morning.
“No matter what locks you use, none of the precautions seem to be enough when there are people around targeting stables and yards. That’s why we were keen to take up the offer of this type of marking.”
PCSO Tongue said: “The best way of protecting valuables is to mark them with permanent marker and then register them online so that they are clearly traceable.
“Our new marking system embosses leather and metal surfaces with a unique code that makes things too hot to handle as far as thieves are concerned.
“We are offering the service across North Yorkshire and would encourage as many people as possible to come to one of our marking events.”
Officers from North Yorkshire’s rural crime task force have been offering the marking service at a range of locations and their next events will be:
- Monday 14 November, Ripon Farm Services, Tadcaster
- Monday 12 December, Ripon Farm Services, Ripon.
They will also offer the service on request if you email horsewatch@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
People can register their property at https://www.immobilise.com/