Callous thieves steal saddles during 500 mile charity trek
Callous thieves have stolen horse riding equipment from the children’s charity Autism Angels UK.
During the evening of Saturday 11 January, a parked car was entered on Lonsdale Road in Scarborough, and a number of items of tack were taken.
The equipment was being used by a group on a 500-mile charity trek around Yorkshire, raising money to support children with autism at the Harrogate based Autism Angels UK
Six items were stolen, including two unique saddles, designed for children with specialist needs: one brown, with the name ‘AKUA’ on the left side, the other black. Two girths and two hi-visibility riding blankets were also taken. The blankets are labelled ‘Autism Angels’ and are essential to keep the riders safe while out on the roads.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Unfortunately, thieves do target tack and horse riding equipment in general, as it is often very valuable. However, whoever has taken these particular items would know immediately that they belonged to a charity – making their criminal actions quite frankly beyond belief.
“We are urging anyone with information about this callous theft to do the right thing, and contact us, or Crimestoppers anonymously, so we can get this equipment back to its rightful owners.”
Writing on their Facebook page, Autism Angels UK said: “It was definitely a heart breaking start to the day as we realised our tack had been stolen and we had no saddles or hi-vis for the horses. The real devastation of course comes to us because we know how much this is going to affect the children we work with once we get home.
“Whilst we are still in shock from these events we are also utterly warmed by the love and support out there… We’ve had countless messages of support from people all over the country offering love, equipment and support to us.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for the Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team.
You can also email ScarboroughSNA@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200006408 when passing information about the theft.
Here is a full list of destinations that Nicki Hall and Sarah Kekoa are visiting during our 500 mile walk around Yorkshire
26/12 – Appletreewick
27/12 – Malham
28/12 – Clapham
29/12 – Dent
30/12 – Hawes
31/12 – Tan Hill
01/01 – Reeth
02/01 – Richmond
03/01 – Danby Wiske
04/01 – Hutton Rudby
05/01 – Kildale
06/01 – Glaisdale
07/01 – Whitby
08/01 – Ravenscar
09/01 – Scarborough
0/01 – Reighton
11/01 – Bridlington
12/01 – Driffield
13/01 – Cherry Burton
14/01 – Holme on Spalding Moor
15/01 – Selby
16/01 – Braithwaite
17/01 – Ravenfield
18/01 – Thurgoland
19/01 – New Mill
20/01 – Ripponden
21/01 – Oxenhope
22/01 – Silsden
23/01 – Otley
24/01 – Home
