Horse riding equipment worth thousands of pounds has been returned to its owners after a successful police raid.
The 19 saddles, and even a four-wheel-drive vehicle, were stolen in a brazen night-time raid at a Chorleywood livery yard. Shocked horse-lovers at the New House Farm Livery Stables, in Farm Road, awoke to discover the theft on the morning of Thursday, November 19 – the latest in a string of similar offences in the M25 area.
The items, with a combined value of more than £20,000, were recovered in a joint operation by Thames Valley Police on Sunday. They were found at an address in High Wycombe and returned to their owners using the state-of-the-art enigma tag system – which leaves invisible address details on items.
Inspector George Holland, of neighbouring Hertfordshire Police reminded horse owners of the importance of tagging. He said: “We are delighted that these items have been recovered. “I would like to remind people, particularly members of the rural community that having items marked with enigmaTAG is an excellent way of both deterring and catching those responsible for carrying out thefts. This job is an excellent example of this.”
One of the thieves’ victims, Michelle Mcdonnell, who leases a yard at the site, spoke of her delight. She said: “Hertfordshire police have done a fantastic job here because it was them who encouraged me to get my equipment tagged in October. If I had not done that there is no way it would have been returned to me.”
Thames Valley Police say no arrests have yet been made but that enquiries are ongoing.
For more information on this story>>>
