HORSE owners and riding enthusiasts have been issued a warning after a series of break-ins targeting North Yorkshire stables and tack rooms.

North Yorkshire Police said numerous equestrian items, including saddles, girths, bridles, breastplates and numnahs, over the last few weeks.

Incidents have included a large amount of tack being stolen from a tack room near Little Ribston, near Knaresborough, on September 17 and a raid on outbuildings near Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate, overnight on September 21.

Other burglaries in the area include two overnight on September 28, when stables near Tockwith and near Askham Richard were burgled and on Monday, two saddles were taken in a burglary at North Deighton.

PC David Mackay, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “In light of these incidents, I am urging horse owners to take immediate steps to ensure tack is protected from thieves.

"Make sure you have a record of any serial numbers, register your property, and be vigilant – report any suspicious activity to the police.

“If someone offers you second-hand tack for sale, and it seems too good to be true, consider that you might be buying stolen property. Check serial numbers, and if in doubt, ask the person for proof of ownership.”

Free property marking sessions will be held in the near future, and people can contact the Rural Taskforce to discuss this and other crime prevention measures.

Horse owners and enthusiasts are also invited to follow North Yorkshire Police’s Horsewatch scheme on social media – via NYP Horsewatch on Facebook, and @NYP_Horsewatch on Twitter – so they can find out about future events and be made aware of any equestrian crimes in their area. To get in touch with the scheme, email horsewatch@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

PC Hannah McPeake, who co-ordinates the Horsewatch scheme, said: “Preventing crime and deterring criminals is very important, and we are encouraging all equestrian businesses and horse owners to check their yard security and think carefully about how to protect their property.”

North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce works proactively alongside colleagues, partners and volunteers to increase engagement with rural communities, target criminals who offend in our rural areas, and provide bespoke crime prevention advice to those at risk of criminality.