What is Cumbria Horsewatch?
Every year horses and equine equipment are targeted by thieves who prey on rural premises where they know security might not be so tight, where it is less likely that someone will be around, and where valuable property is stored
They know that there is a strong possibility that what they steal cannot simply be personalised by the real owner, making it easy to sell on, and difficult to trace.
Crimes against the equine community are relatively rare in Cumbria, but 2013 saw a significant increase in crimes of this nature.
As a response to this problem Cumbria Constabulary is spearheading a Cumbria Horsewatch scheme in a bid to cut this tide of thefts and heartache for the owners of horses.
The scheme's aim is to offer advice and guidance to all those involved in equestrian pursuits - no matter how large or small their roles might be - on the best way to ensure they don't get an unwelcome call from the equine criminals and how best to protect their equine property.
These pages on the Police Website aims to provide advice on cheap and simple crime prevention measures that horse and stable owners could take to protect their property.
Cumbria Horsewatch is managed by a Police Support Volunteer, Nigel Sutcliffe. The aims and objectives of Cumbria Horsewatch are to prevent and reduce the incidents of Equine related crimes.
Additionally members of Horsewatch will strive to improve on their awareness of crime issues, in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary, by registering to receive free crime and incident alert through the Cumbria Community Messaging system.
Members of Horsewatch registering on this communication system are entitled to receive discounted security products which will help reduce the risk of victimisation.
The Cumbria Horsewatch scheme is a member of the National Horse Watch Scheme, known as UK Horsewatch Alliance, covering the majority of counties in England, Wales and Scotland. The Alliance web site is www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk
The Cumbria Horse Watch is within the Northern Region of the Alliance set up, following the national police regions.
Policing the rural areas cannot be the task of the police alone. To keep the communities within towns and countryside safe requires the help and assistance of the community at large. Communities are the radar for the police. Communities can provide information from which the police can act.
Cumbria Horsewatch is supportive to the aims and objectives of Farm Watch whose aims are to reduce rural crime, reassure rural residents and to improve communication and engagement.
Cumbria Horsewatch plays an important role within the community and supports the police
Equine related crime still remains relatively low within Cumbria and this is a reflection on the continuing work on promoting crime prevention and deterrent measures within the equine community.
For further information about Horsewatch in Cumbria, Cumbria Community Messaging and / or discounted security products, contact;
· Nigel Sutcliffe by e mail at
· Andy Baines (Safer & Stronger Communities Manager) by e mail at
· Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team