Vicky Walker knows more than most how it feels to be the victim of theft.

“It happens about twice a year,” she says. “We have to be very vigilant.”

Vicky runs Salter Royd Equestrian Centre in Wilsden, where she provides riding lessons.

“We have all sorts of incidents, such as rugs being taken from horses and riding tack stolen,” she adds. “We have got to be very careful to watch everything and not leave anything out.”

The nature of Vicky’s business makes it difficult to police. “It is a massive site, with an open aspect. It is not like securing a shop with front and back entrances, and we can’t lock up everything due to potential fire hazards.”

But they do their best and are always alert to anything suspicious. Says Vicky: “We also have to be aware of any cars and vans in the area, anyone looking into the yard and parking nearby.”

Raiders targeting the centre are sometimes found to have stolen goods from other, similar businesses on the same day. “You hear of them going from place to place,” Vicky says. “They travel either by road, or across fields.”

Cracking down on this type of crime is challenging, but inroads are being made through an innovative scheme led by West Yorkshire Police.

Working along the same lines as Neighbourhood Watch, Horsewatch encourages owners to look out for criminal behaviour and report it, so that suspects can be monitored or caught and others can be warned to be on their guard.

Members keep an eye out for their own horses, near-neighbours’ horses, equipment, vehicles and any breaches of security on their land. They are encouraged to note down registration numbers of unfamiliar vehicles and to warn police and others about criminals acting suspiciously near stables and land where horses are kept.

“The information that someone is acting suspiciously in the area goes to everyone, so we are all aware of what to look out for,” says Vicky. “We can talk to the other yards and alert each other.”

Beginning in spring 2009, Horsewatch now has 540 members and 727 fans on Facebook. “Interest is growing all the time – another 13 members signed up this week,” says Horswewatch co-ordinator for Bradford South, Police Community Support Officer Julie Hansord, whose job it is to engage with members.

“We have members from livery yards, the travelling community, riding schools, farms and individuals. It helps rural farms because they don’t feel as isolated. They are part of a network, sharing information.”

“Communication can be by phone, text, e-mail, or word-of-mouth,” she adds. “It helps to reduce opportunities for crime.”

Monthly meetings are held enabling members to share information, as well as pick up advice on security. A newsletter is also distributed updating members on news and informing them of any horse-related events and activities.

Thanks to the scheme, and follow-up investigations, a range of stolen equestrian items have been recovered from the area.

“We encourage members to mark their own tack, and we offer crime prevention advice,” says PCSO Hansord. “We issue posters and stickers.”

Tack and rugs can be marked with the owner’s postcode using special pens or solutions. They can also be microchipped, which helps in tracing them if they are stolen.

Monthly meetings can include guest speakers offering advice on subjects such as horse welfare. PCSO Hansord – herself a horse owner – makes visits to members accompanied by an RSPCA officer, who can also give helpful advice.

Horsewatch – which is supported by organisations including Bradford Council, the British Horse Society and local equine businesses – also deals with reports of attacks on animals, and loose horses.

Member Chris Brennan, of Laura Brennan Equestrian Centre in Brighouse and Denholme Gate Road, praises the scheme. “We like to know what is happening in the area, such as whether there have been any incidents of horse or tack thieving. There is a large criminal element who steal tack as it is very valuable.

“Horsewatch keeps us informed, and if incidents have taken place we know to be extra vigilant. Criminals tend to come back again and again, as they know that stolen items will be replaced. The scheme is reassuring and also helps us with security advice.”

l PCSO Hansord can be contacted on 07595 009211, 0845 6060606, or (01274) 883448; by e-mail on julie.hansord@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or at westyorkshire.police.uk/ horsewatch.