Wiltshire public saddles up to help police spot crime

BRITAIN’S first mounted neighbourhood watch division has been created in response to dwindling police numbers, with members told to bring their own horse.

The move by Wiltshire Police is in response to a recent surge in rural crime in the area, and fewer officers to cover it.

The force said that members of the public on horseback will be able to get to rural areas where police vehicles may struggle, and will have a better view of their surroundings to spot potential crimes than officers in a 4x4 vehicle.

Wiltshire Police put out a call for volunteers six weeks ago and has established a 50-strong mounted division.

Rather than reporting on anti-social behaviour, the volunteers will be look for signs of rural crimes including poaching, theft from church roofs, poisoned birds of prey or fly-tipping.

Metal detectorists will also be policed by the mounted neighbourhood watch, following a man being arrested earlier this month for digging up buried treasure at Stonehenge.

PC Emily Thomas, from the Rural Crime Team, said: “[In] a large rural county there are many people who own horses and hack across the bridleways and countryside in places that may not easily be accessible by a vehicle.

“We have asked them to volunteer as a Neighbourhood Watch on horseback and report back on any unusual activity they see.

“Typically, riders will be looking out for any signs of wildlife crime such as poaching or raptor persecution, general theft of livestock, feed or fertiliser and particularly heritage crimes.

“We have been fortunate to receive generous funding from Historic England for the fluorescent items.

“Later this month one of our PCSOS will visit the stables and livery yards who have become volunteers to do a spot check and hand out the tabards.”