HORSE owners have been urged to secure stables after riding equipment worth thousands of pounds was stolen from across Cheshire.

A gang of thieves has targeted a dozen stables, riding schools and farm outbuildings since November, taking saddles worth hundreds of pounds apiece.

Most of the thefts take place at night, but one stable in Cotebrook, near Tarporley was targeted during daylight in December when riders saw the thieves drive off in a white Ford Transit van.

Tools and a quad bike have also been stolen from outbuildings during raids.

As Cheshire Police launched their Farm and Countryside Watch campaign this week to target the thefts, Det Sgt Ian Morgan said owners should be vigilant.

'These are valuable items and people need to make sure the place is secure and locked, improve the lighting, improve locks to gates and outbuildings and maybe even fit alarms.'

The thefts were initially concentrated around Macclesfield, Alderley Edge and Knutsford, but recently the thieves have moved to villages around Chester.

* Last Tuesday a £400 saddle was taken from stables in Alvanley, Frodsham.

* The previous day a £600 saddle was stolen from a farm in Great Barrow.

* On January 16 in Threapwood, Malpas a saddle worth £1,000 and a bridle worth £200 were taken from stables.

* Riders at The Gallop stables in Cotebrook, near Tarporley lost four saddles worth at least £2,000 on December 20 when thieves walked into the tack room as owners exercised their horses.

Stable owner Tim Stokes explained: 'A couple of my clients were here alone, they saw a white van arrive and saw some people get out, but thought the men were looking for me so didn't do anything about it.

'They tried to take my motorbikes, but they were chained up, then they went into the tack room, which is normally empty except when people are riding, and took the saddles.'

The white Ford transit van used by the thieves that day had the registration plate EA52 VCW, but police say the number was cloned from a vehicle elsewhere in the country and could change.

* To join Farm and Countryside Watch contact Liz Biddle at david.owens@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or call 01244 616183.