A WILLITON man is warning horse owners to be on their guard, fearing thieves may be targeting equines in the West Somerset area.

Douglas Scott said his daughter found the tails of both her ponies had been plaited and knotted last Monday.

She removed the plaits and bolstered security at their field near Halsway Manor.

But when Mr Scott reported the incident to police he said he was horrified to be told by a Police Community Support Officer that the plaits could have been done by the horses themselves.

"The PCSO told me she had horses and that they often plaited their own manes.

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing – horses don't plait their own manes or their own tails," Mr Scott said.

It is widely believed that would-be thieves single out target animals and plait their manes or tails as a marker to ensure the thieves know they have the right horse when they return later.

Avon and Somerset Police stressed no horses had been stolen in the county recently, but confirmed they had received reports of plaiting.

Sergeant Stuart Williams, of the Rural Crime Team, said: "We are getting reports of plaits appearing in manes and tails but none of any horses being stolen.

"If anyone is concerned about their horse or stable security we'd recommend they joined our Horse Watch scheme as a starting point."

The Horsewatch scheme gives owners regular alerts about crime prevention and stolen property which might be offered for sale.

Members of the scheme can also pass on intelligence for officers to share about suspicious activities, including through a dedicated Facebook page.