ARRESTS have been made after nearly £10,000 worth of horse riding equipment was stolen.

The New Forest High Harm Team, coordinating with local neighbourhood policing teams in Ringwood, received a report of the theft of horse tack and riding equipment in the Fordingbridge area. 

The value of the equipment totalled around £10,000.

Following enquiries, searches were conducted at three premises and nearly all the stolen items were subsequently recovered. 

Enquiries made by officers resulted in two people being arrested on the afternoon of Monday, March 27.

A Ringwood Police spokesperson said: “This team was formed to tackle offences like these – those that have a huge impact on the wider community – and we are committed to identifying suspects and returning property to those that have been affected by crime in the rural community.

“We hope to be able to update you soon with the outcome of this investigation and other good news stories.”

The New Forest High Harm Team, which started on Monday, March 20, focuses on the policing priorities across the district and support local Neighbourhood Policing objectives, including managing high harm offenders, carrying out proactive patrols to prevent crime and catch offenders, and working with other forces to reduce cross-border criminality.

Other arrests made since the unit formed include:

  • A man wanted for the theft of more than £800 worth of electrical items and who had failed to attend court.
  • A man in breach of his community order who had gone on to commit a further eight theft and public order offences.