Nottinghamshire Police reinvigorate Horse Watch scheme aiming to prevent equine-related and rural crime

A reinvigorated Horse Watch scheme is aiming to prevent and reduce equine-related and rural crime.

Nottinghamshire Police is putting together a team of officers who will be involved in the revitalised initiative which will boost crime prevention and awareness around equine-related issues, as well as improving road safety and building stronger relationships with the equestrian community.

As part the re-launch, a group of 15 officers from across three neighbourhood policing teams recently completed horse handling training at equine charity Bransby Horses — whose work covers Nottinghamshire — where they learned about horse welfare and reading body language and approaching, as well as undertaking on-yard sessions handling and herding horses.

“Our reinvigorated Horse Watch scheme will encourage greater communication between the force and partner organisations to better combat the offences which often have huge and far-reaching impact on victims,” she said, “Not forgetting the animals themselves who deserve to be kept free from harm and suffering.

“My particular role is very much about working effectively with partners like Bransby Horses and the wider community and keeping people up to date.

“I’m really passionate about working with others to help in the fight against equine and rural crime.

“Through our Horse Watch scheme we will do everything we can to listen to the community, hear about what issues matter most to them and work proactively to prevent these types of crimes from happening.

"That way we can get a better understanding of the needs of our rural communities and ensure policing services are available to meet their needs.”

Further training for Nottinghamshire Police’s Horse Watch team is planned over the next month, and should result in over 45 officers completing the session.

Rachel Jenkinson, equine welfare manager at Bransby Horses, said: "Bransby Horses is dedicated to creating positive impacts on the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

"Through our work of "Sharing Knowledge and Influencing Change” we were very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Nottinghamshire Police on this project.

"To date, 15 officers have spent the morning with us and have learnt about how to understand equine behaviour, work safely around unknown horses, and approach, and apply a head collar.

"We look forward to hosting two further groups onsite and supporting with any future equine related incidents."

Find out more about Nottinghamshire Police’s Horse Watch via the Facebook page, or email horsewatch@notts.police.uk

Anyone wishing to report an incident is urged to do so by calling us on 101 or via the force website.

In an emergency, always call 999.