Horse owners are warned to keep their equipment safe following a spate of thefts reported in West Kent.

Police are investigating a series of incidents in Maidstone and the surrounding areas where horse blankets, collars and saddles were taken from barns or animal’s backs last week.

Five saddles worth more than £1,000 were reported stolen overnight between Monday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 in The Brucks, Wateringbury.

The following night two winter blankets worth £300 went missing from horses in Pilgrims Way, Harrietsham.

Overnight on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday November 6, three saddles worth £4,000, plus a £3,800 tractor and a £7,000 generator were stolen from Childsbridge Lane in Kemsing, near Sevenoaks.

Other incidents have been reported in Lenham Heath, Broomfield and Wouldham.

To avoid becoming a victim police advise that all outbuildings should be fitted with good quality locks, and windows protected with metal bars or grilles.

Doors and windows should be locked shut when not in use and security lighting, CCTV and alarms will also deter intruders.

If possible, remove all private access points not in use and create a single gated entrance.

Installing a controlled entry system using an intercom or keypad lock will make that entrance even more secure.

Agricultural vehicles can also be fitted with a tracking device or a data tagging chip to increase the chances of locating them if stolen.

Rural Crime Partnership officer PC Michael Laidlow said: “We encourage all communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.

“We will act upon any intelligence we receive as quickly as possible.”

To report a crime or any suspicious activity, call 101, or use 999 if it is an emergency or a crime is in progress.