POLICE are urging stable owners to be vigilant after a large amount of riding equipment was stolen in Fenland.

Thieves targeted stables on Green Drove in Outwell between 6pm on Monday October 3 and 11am on Tuesday October 4 where several items of tack and saddles were stolen.

Between 7.30pm-5.30am on the same dates stables were also broken into in the village’s Langhorns Lane where saddles, clippers and bridles were stolen.

Officers are keen to identify a red car, believed to be a Peugeot with part of its registration R403 or R430, which was seen in the Hilgay area during a similar incident - where nothing was stolen - in September.

PCSO James Copeman said: “While these type of incidents remain relatively rare they can often happened in spates so we would urge people to be alert and take the necessary precautions to help safeguard their property.

“Horse riding tackle can be a target for thieves but owners can significantly reduce their chances of becoming a victim by making their items harder to steal and easy to identify.”

Crime prevention advice includes:

• Store property in a secure building with a strong, locked door ideally fitted with a good quality lock/padlock

• Remember to always lock buildings up when not in use

• Consider fitting an intruder alarm and installing security lighting. Lighting is not the answer to all problems and site specific advice should be taken where lighting is being considered.

• Consider the use of metal bars to protect window

• Property mark your belongings to make them easier to identify

Anyone with information on the above incidents should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 0800 555 111 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.