Check the NECD website – you can help
We regularly update our website with any equestrian thefts, incidents and/or warnings.
It may be useful to know of any thefts that are happening in your area so you can be extra vigilant.
You may be able to help – visit the website and look at pictures and descriptions of other equestrian thefts. You may know some information that may lead to property and horses being returned to owners.
Join NECD. NECD members can register ALL of their valuable equestrian items in one place online. With their paid subscription, members can register and protect their entire equestrian estate. For every item you register NECD will generate a unique ID to enable us to associate that item with anything that affects it. In instances where your item has no unique identifying marks, the NECD ID can become the identifying mark.
NECD recommendations
NECD provides a comprehensive Crime Protection service for the Equestrian Community. As with all Crime Prevention efforts, the efficacy depends on members of the Equestrian Community taking responsibility for their Equestrian Estate.
NECD is an ‘inclusive’ service, which means that NECD can support any existing Equestrian marking scheme including:
- NED Passports
- Freezemarks
- Microchips
- Hoof Brands
- Manufacturers Serial Numbers
- Post Codes
When you are preparing to mark any item of your Equestrian Estate, you need to ensure that the number you mark the item with is unique. A unique number allows searches to identify each different item individually as well as protecting you and your buyer if you decide to sell something on.
NECD will assign a unique NECD number to each item in your Equestrian Estate. Once anything is registered with NECD, the NECD number will travel with the item throughout its lifetime regardless of ownership.
When you register with NECD, make sure you tick the check boxes in your account to receive SMS and Email messages from NECD
NECD will never use these communications for marketing purposes. The only messages that you receive will be those that are critical to the Equestrian Community to prevent crime. When a crime or suspicious activity is reported within 10 miles of your location, NECD will send out SMS alerts notifying you of the incident. Subsequently, an email with the full details of the report will be sent to the email address registered to your membership.
When a horse is stolen, NECD will send immediate SMS alerts nationwide notifying you of the incident. Subsequently, an email with the full details of the report will be sent to the email address registered to your membership.
Buy with confidence by using NECD to check the status of any item on the secondary market. You can check the reported status of any Equestrian item using:
- Your web browser by going to http://www.necd.org.uk
- Your smart phone by going to http://www.necd.org.uk/mobile.php
- Send a SMS text message to 88802 using the short code NECD followed by space and the mark you want to check
Advantages of NECD over other Tracking and Marking Solutions
Equestrian crime continues to be a major problem and a concern for horse owners throughout the UK. Crime increases when times are hard, as evidenced by the current economic climate. Whilst a number of both profit making and non-profit making organisations have been launched over the last 20 years, equestrian crime has not diminished and in fact continues to escalate. Extensive research and analysis of police information cites the main causes are lack of unique identifying marks on equestrian items and a central database accessible by all crime prevention organisations. In response to this, over a period of 2 years, NECD has developed a world class solution which addresses these requirements and goes many steps further in protecting the equestrian community. Through extensive user testing, NECD has ensured it meets equestrian needs and delivers the highest quality service. By investing in world class technology and advanced communications, NECD is well positioned to pioneer many more solutions in the fight against crime.
Advantages of NECD over other Tracking and Marking Solutions
Equestrian crime continues to be a major problem and a concern for horse owners throughout the UK.
Crime increases when times are hard, as evidenced by the current economic climate. Whilst a number of both profit making and non-profit making organisations have been launched over the last 20 years, equestrian crime has not diminished and in fact continues to escalate.
Extensive research and analysis of police information cites the main causes are lack of unique identifying marks on equestrian items and a central database accessible by all crime prevention organisations. In response to this, over a period of 2 years, NECD has developed a world class solution which addresses these requirements and goes many steps further in protecting the equestrian community. Through extensive user testing, NECD has ensured it meets equestrian needs and delivers the highest quality service. By investing in world class technology and advanced communications, NECD is well positioned to pioneer many more solutions in the fight against crime.
What is the National Equestrian Crime Database and why should I Join?
Crime in the equestrian community is on the increase, with horses, tack and trailers/lorries costing many thousands of pounds and much of this unidentifiable once it has been stolen, there has for a long time been a pressing need for a reliable, secure solution.
The NECD is an internet based system that allows you to upload serial numbers, microchip numbers, passport numbers, chassis numbers, post codes and if your item does not already have a number, it will generate a unique 5 digit serial number which can be stamped into the leather or painted on to your item. You can also upload pictures and a description of your horse or other item.
Once registered, your item can be searched on using a web enabled mobile phone or the “Check-It” box on our home page. This is completely free of charge and you do not need to be a member to search on an item. The police, port authorities, auction houses, in fact anyone anywhere in the world can instantly establish if the item has been stolen. If it has, they will be told the date of the incident, the phone number of the police station dealing with the crime and the crime reference number. If it has not been stolen, they will be informed that the item is for example a brown Jaguar Dressage saddle and that it has not been reported as being stolen. They will NEVER be given your address or contact details. If they need to contact the owner, they can do so via the NECD by asking us to pass on their contact details.
The NECD system also allows members to send alerts via text message to all registered members within 10 miles of their location to warn about criminal or suspicious activity in the locality or such things as loose dogs, slippery roads etc. This service is completely free of charge.
All 43 UK police forces have been trained in the use of the NECD system.
The System is highly secure and is certified to ISO 2701-2005 which is the highest data security standard available. All of the data resides in a secure commercial data centre and it is NEVER downloaded to any form of portable device such as a laptop.
How much does it cost to join? Membership is free for the first year and the £10 per year thereafter, you will need to enter your credit card or PayPal details when you subscribe, but no money will be taken for the first 12 months. You can unsubscribe at any time with no penalties.
Can anyone else see my data? No only you can see your data (So long as you keep your password secure!)
Where can I get more information? We recommend you visit our home page at: www.necd.org.uk and watch the Video/Virtual Tour. You can also call us on 0800 019 9044 however you might need to wait for a call back as we are all volunteers.
If every equestrian registered their horses and equipment, thieves would never be able to sell your stolen property. Help us to empower you by signing up NOW!
Latest news from Sussex Horse Watch
Sussex Horse Watch have received the message below from a member who lives in Hastings Road, Battle; be warned hay is being stolen from all across the country, so try and keep it in secure places
“I have just had some blue plastic posts stolen - about a dozen. They are marked with smartwater, so maybe they are identifiable.
The posts were marking the area in the field which was to be cut for hay, they were out of sight of the road. The hay was baled last night and the posts were there then. Overnight someone has walked up the field, to check the hay I guess, and took the posts.
It might be a smallish theft, but it leaves a worrying feeling as now that the hay is down I wanted to put my horses in the field, its horrid to know that someone is checking out all the time.
The 200 bales of hay are locked up in the same field, I cant mark them with smartwater!”
Sussex Horse Watch Poster
To try and alleviate the amount of horse crime that is taking place nationally, Sussex Horse Watch have designed a poster for you to print, encapsulate and place close by the entrance of your premises. Please pass it on to all your horsey friends even if they are not members of Sussex Horse Watch. We expect to see these plastered all over Sussex, this can only be done with your help.
Sussex Horse Watch is in the process of composing various leaflets for horse owners; we will keep you updated on this.
Don’t forget, if you see something odd, strange or out of the ordinary, then you should note down what you have seen, where you saw it, time, descriptions of people and vehicle make type registration number and pass it on to your local police, if you are unable to contact the police then let Sussex Horse Watch know, who will pass it on for you.
Don’t forget, with the nights starting to draw in make certain that both you and your horse can be seen, specially in the shadows of the lanes.
If you would like a copy of this poster to print off, then please contact us and we will be happy to send you a copy.
www.necd.org.uk
SECURITY ADVICE FOR HORSE OWNERS
Tack
Tack must be kept in a secure, strongly constructed building. A tack room built using bricks or concrete blocks will be more secure than a wooden tack room. Doors must be solid and preferably made of steel or strengthened with steel panels. Such a door will be able to accommodate a mortise lock to British standards. Hinges and fittings are best fixed on the inside of the room in a way that they cannot be accessed from outside. If fittings must be on the outside, bolts or non-return screws that cannot be undone are advisable. Windows or skylights are best avoided but if they are essential non-opening small windows are preferable with metal bars installed for extra security. Fitting metal grids below the roof may inhibit entry via the roof and a burglar alarm will provide additional security.
Saddlery can be micro-chipped, indelibly marked or embossed and metal can be engraved free by Sussex Police. Several saddle-locking devices are available which lock saddles onto their supporting rack. Galvanised steel safes for tack are also available which can be bolted to a wall or the inside of a horsebox. Remember to keep tack rooms locked, keep records of key holders and change locks if any keys go missing.
Saddlery is also vulnerable at shows so ensure it is locked away within a vehicle when not in use.
Best of all, keep your saddlery at home when it is not being used, it is cheaper to insure and there is no limit on how much the insurance company pay out in the event of loss.
Summary
Be prepared for all eventualities! The need for both safety and security measures cannot be over emphasised. A variety of methods can be used and selection will depend upon the particulars of individual premises.
Security guidance is available and help is provided in the event of a theft. Your local Crime Reduction Adviser will give free professional advice on security and can be contacted through your local Police Station or Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer. Locksmiths, security companies and insurance companies may also be contacted for advice.
SECURITY ADVICE FOR HORSE OWNERS
Vehicles
Horseboxes and trailers are frequently kept alongside paddocks or at stable yards where they can be easily accessed when they are needed. Parking vehicles and storing equipment and machinery out of sight within buildings will not draw attention to their presence and a secure building will make theft harder. Many methods of immobilisation are available, ranging from tow hitch locks for trailers to wheel clamps for any vehicle and engine immobilisers for horseboxes. Expensive horseboxes or trailers may even warrant the installation of a satellite/terrestrial-tracking device. Again, security marking is advisable but remember, markings must be sufficient (e.g. a postcode followed by a premises name or number) to allow police identification of the area a recovered trailer or vehicle has been stolen from.
Opportunist thieves will strike at shows so when vehicles are parked, safety devices should be fitted and vehicles securely locked when you are away from them.
Vehicles must be maintained adequately and it is a good idea to have a checklist of features to inspect before each journey. Breakdown and accident assistance that covers vehicles transporting equines is available.
SECURITY ADVICE FOR HORSE OWNERS
Gates and Fences
Post and rail fencing provides a safe boundary for horses with the added benefit of being more robust and therefore harder to break through. Wire can easily and quickly be cut to allow access to premises. It is advisable to use a heavy-duty chain and a close-shackled padlock (to prevent cropping) on gates and to concrete gateposts into the ground. Reversing a gate hinge or welding the hinge tops over will help prevent gates being lifted from posts. Daily grassland checks should be combined with a security check to look for tampering such as fence perimeters that have been cut and re-joined, hinges that have been loosened or parts of hedgerows that have been disturbed.
Secure fencing and closed gates at yard entrances will also provide an enclosed area to contain any mischievous equine that becomes loose!
