CALNE police are encouraging local horse riding enthusiasts to take the bit between their teeth and help them set up a special Horse Watch.

Wpc Julie Lewis stationed in Calne said thefts of riding tack and horse trailers tend to occur at this time of year.

She said the idea behind setting up the group was to raise awareness of the problem and co-ordinate information between the police and the horse riding community in Calne and the surrounding villages.

"Being a rural area we have a lot of people involved in horse riding," Wpc Lewis said. "It's in peoples' interests to join Horse Watch because it means they will have extra eyes watching their property."

Wpc Lewis said Horse Watch would be based on a ring-round system based in different areas in towns and villages, as far away as Foxham and Tytherton, which would be managed by a co-ordinator.

The police would send information about any tack or trailer thefts to the co-ordinators who would then quickly inform members on the telephone. And if a Horse Watch member spotted something suspicious or recognised stolen property at a horse show they can contact their co-ordinator who would then inform Wpc Lewis.

Anyone interested should telephone Calne Police Station, (01249) 812106, and leave a message for her, including contact details and when she has enough interest she plans to organise a get together. E-mail is Julie.lewis@Wiltshire.police.uk.