Latest news with #OperationGallop
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Drivers urged to pass horses with care on Dartmoor
Motorists are being urged to drive more carefully on Dartmoor to help cut the number of animals injured or and Cornwall Police said 144 animals, including ponies, cattle and sheep, were killed on Dartmoor's roads in members of the emergency services and the British Horse Society have carried out patrols to encourage drivers to pass animals slowly and Owen Messenger, from the roads policing team, said: "Dartmoor is home to many animals who roam the area freely, so it's important that motorists take extra care, drive to the conditions and abide by speed limits." 'Collisions happen frequently' Rural affairs officer PC Lucy Wyatt said horses were "unpredictable and can spook easily". "So, if you come across a horse on the road, aim to give them at least two metres (6.56ft) of space and pass at no more than 10mph (16km/h)," she campaign forms part of Operation Gallop, a national initiative to highlight equine crime, welfare and road Messenger said: "Collisions between vehicles and animals across the moor is something that, unfortunately, happens frequently."He advised anyone involved in a collision with an animal on Dartmoor to report it to police so officers could check whether the animal would need treatment.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Northamptonshire Police hold tack marking events for horse owners
Officers hold tack marking events for horse owners Tack marking allows items equipped to horses, such as saddles and bridles, to be identified Rural crime officers and volunteers have helped horse owners protect their equipment at a series of tack marking events. The free sessions were part of Northamptonshire Police's support for Operation Gallop, a national awareness week dedicated to tackling crimes affecting the equestrian community, and saw about 50 items of tack marked. Tack marking is a method of identifying items equipped to horses, such as saddles and bridles, to deter theft and also aids in the recovery of stolen property. The force's rural crime team also visited horse owners and riders to share crime prevention advice.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Dorset Police campaign pulls reins on rural horse crime
A police force has been raising awareness of crimes affecting horse owners and riders, as part of a national Police has been taking part in Operation Gallop, which is a week of action to tackle equine have visited horse yards and stables to offer security advice and special tagging kits which help to deter Friday, Rural Mounted Volunteers will educate motorists in Shaftesbury and Studland on the importance of driving wide and slow when overtaking horses on the road. PC Kate Schofield, the equine lead for the rural crime team, said: "During the week, we want to encourage horse owners to take proactive steps to prevent the theft of their property."The DNA kits that officers have handed out to horse owners can be used to mark high value items with an invisible tag that can only be seen under a UV makes it easier to spot stolen items, making them less desirable to thieves."We want to send a clear message to offenders that if you are thinking to stirrup trouble for our equine communities, we will do all we can to hold you accountable for your actions," Ms Schofield said. Advice when driving near a horse: Reduce your speed to a maximum of 10mph (16kmh) when approaching and passing horsesBe patient and do not sound your horn or rev your enginePass wide and slow giving the horse plenty of roomOvertake only when it is safeDo not accelerate rapidly once you have passed themSource: Dorset Road Safe You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police officers trained in handling donkeys
Police officers have been learning how to handle donkeys in a bid to tackle equine crime and welfare. Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police's rural affairs team received training at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary on Wednesday as part of national policing initiative, Operation Gallop. PC Lucy Wyatt said: "Because we're predominantly a rural patch, we do come across donkeys on routine patrols and it's really important for us to recognise if there are welfare concerns." PC Clarke Orchard said rural crime was costing about £52.8m per year, with £11m attributed to farm machinery and plant vehicle theft. Donkey welfare advisor at the sanctuary, Jenna Goldby, said the collaboration was "absolutely brilliant". "The police do help us a lot on rural jobs when we're coming across donkeys that may have strayed onto the highway," she said. "This is a fantastic example of some cross-sector collaboration between us and the rural crime unit." Ms Goldby said the rural crime unit forensically marked the sanctuary's equipment, including farm machinery. "So, if they are ever stolen, there is a lot more success of getting them back to us," she said. "It's been a really strong collaboration so far." Ms Wyatt there was a "whole host of different reasons" why police may need to take action involving donkeys, including a road-related incident or a runaway. She said the training had been "invaluable". "We're really asking motorists to take our advice in relation to the safe passing of horses and other equines," she added. "Making sure that we pass nice and slowly and giving them at least 10 metres of room." PC Orchard said rural crime was a "real prevalent issue" across the country. "I urge members of the public and members of the rural community to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity," he said. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Farmers 'at war' with countryside crime gangs On the beat with countryside cops Mounted volunteers sought to fight rural crime Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary Devon and Cornwall Police
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Operation Gallop: motorists who incorrectly pass horses to be targeted
West Yorkshire Police have announced their participation in Operation Gallop, a national week of action targeting crimes affecting horse owners and riders. A partnership between police forces and equine groups, Operation Gallop aims to address issues affecting the horse-riding community. The week of action runs from April 28 to May 4, and will include "close pass operations" targeting drivers who ignore Highway Code rules on how to safely pass equestrians on the road. Advice to prevent the theft of horseboxes is also being issued by West Yorkshire Police, with the force's Wildlife and Rural Crime Officers visiting stables for the purpose, as well as signing people up to the force's Horse Watch scheme. According to a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police, police forces nationally report a rise in the number of horseboxes that are being stolen. More information is available at
