Facebook for the good - stolen pony returned

[Tiddlypom]

The power of Facebook for the good.

A therapy pony was stolen locally, and appeals to look out for her were plastered all over the local facebook news and police pages, and shared many times.

https://www.facebook.com/12923874921/posts/10161200467414922

Observant residents at a posh estate spotted her in a nearby illegal traveller encampment, and informed the police. The pony was recovered safe and well, along with a distinctive red Ifor Williams HBX trailer which had also been stolen from a different location.

 

[Xmasha]

i followed that story, and was amazed when they recovered them both. I never knew there was a traveller site near that particular posh site ( im assuming its the one with a golf course etc ? )
I dont know if im more amazed that the police actually went to a traveller site ..

 

[Tiddlypom]

It was the illegal site by the golf course, and I was also rather surprised that the police actually went in to get the pony. I think they found the trailer while they were there - the red Ifors are rare and distinctive.

No arrests, but two suspect vehicles were detained.

 

[meleeka]

Great news! I do think the tide is starting to turn against traveller camps. Round here the police have had enough of their lawlessness and have started to clamp down more. I really hope it continues as they are definitely getting results.

 

[Xmasha]

Ahh , that makes sense then if it was an illegal camp. Its great to hear the police are doing something. Its a real worry as we do feel like sitting ducks . Although of late ive seen they are increasing the presence at night around the rural community which is great.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Great news! I do wonder why they would want to steal a Shetland who has no real 'use' (being pragmatic, I love them) and no real value.
Glad to see the police cracking down though - went to view a beautiful cottage the other day, but the listing didn't mention the 1 acre travellers site next door unsurprisingly. No doubt that's why it was within my price bracket!

 

[holeymoley]

Brilliant news

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Great outcome

A shetland breeder near me had 2 very young foals stolen by said community, they become so hot because of the Facebook presence they dumped them on a grass roundabout and were reunited with there mum's within days.

 

[lannerch]

No arrests though, if I had been caught with stolen goods I think you can pretty much guarantee I would be quite correctly arrested.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Great news! I do wonder why they would want to steal a Shetland who has no real 'use' (being pragmatic, I love them) and no real value.

My guess is that the Shetland was stolen because a child known and/or related to the illegal travellers had taken a fancy to having one.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

No arrests though, if I had been caught with stolen goods I think you can pretty much guarantee I would be quite correctly arrested.

In a site of 60+ people, how do you know who stole the trailer or pony? You can hardly arrest everyone there..

 

[canteron]

In a site of 60+ people, how do you know who stole the trailer or pony? You can hardly arrest everyone there..

Let’s be honest, they mainly don’t really try. Friends father was attacked and quad bike stolen. Despite the thieves quad bike escape being caught on several neighbours cctv ‘there wasn’t enough evidence’.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Let’s be honest, they mainly don’t really try. Friends father was attacked and quad bike stolen. Despite the thieves quad bike escape being caught on several neighbours cctv ‘there wasn’t enough evidence’.

Oh absolutely agree with this in a generalised sense, just with specific regard to thi case an arrest would have been difficult as you would need to pin point who was responsible.

 

[ester]

Round here the police raid the sites quite a lot and pick up all sorts while there, usually stuff from not far away. The best most recent one was them claiming a caravan had been dumped on the site... complete with the little step outside.

Good news for the pony/owners

 

[Orangehorse]

It was his cousin of course.

 

[Ratface]

The settled traveller group up,the hill from me used to be rather lackadaisical with the fencing on the land they may/ may not have had permission to graze their skeletal horses/ponies on. They frequently got out and were all over the railway lines and local main/side roads. The head of the group was a proper horseman. His relatives less so.
The police were too "busy" to attend. I and a couple of people herded them back and called RSPCA. "Too busy to attend " also. In the end WHW attended, with police, scooped the whole herd up and no horses have been seen there since.
The head of the group keeps his pretty little coloured mare and her filly foal on grass livery with a friend of mine. They look wonderful, want for nothing and Mr X, the owner, spends days with them and is a valued source of hedge-witch equine wisdom and decades of experience.