Be on your guard for horse thieves, urges police (From Knutsford Guardian)

Be on your guard for horse thieves, urges police

10:10am Sunday 7th October 2012 in News By James Wilson

POLICE are urging horse owners and stables to be on their guard after horses were ‘prepped to be stolen’ in the Knutsford area.

Insp Steve Griffiths, from Knutsford Police, told the Guardian that horses were targeted in Warford Lane in Mobberley. and one had been stalked on the border of Macclesfield.

He said horses that were targeted by thieves often had their manes plaited so they could be identified at a later date.

“The thieves will trail around an identify them to their accomplices so they can go and then steal them,” he said.

“We haven’t had any stolen in our area but we have seen them prepped for a theft. It’s not a regular occurrence but in Mobberley some horses have had their manes plaited.

“It’s a well-known thing that the horses get identified before they are stolen. The message from us to the rural areas is that we’ve been stepping up our patrols, and are giving advice to people who own horses. If the thieves try and take them hopefully we can catch them in the act.”

If you see suspicious activity call Knutsford Rural Watch on 101.