HORSE owners are mounting late night vigils to catch thieves targeting stables in the Bishop Auckland area.

A group of villagers are working with police to trap the culprits who raid isolated properties stealing hay, feed, generators, rugs and even ducklings new-born lambs.

Some stables and smallholdings have beenraided several times, even though owners have stepped up security after earlier raids.

Horseboxes have also been broken into and their diesel tanks drained.

One villager said: "It has gone too far. We have had enough and have decided to fight back.

"We have formed an alliance via the Horsewatch scheme and with help from the local police are determined to put a stop to the thefts.

"We work really hard to keep our animals and many of us spend our last hard-earned penny on them.

"It is really too much to go in and find there is nothing for the horses to eat.

"For people like this to take food from the mouths of animals is as low as they can get.

"We think it is the same people time and time again and we are determined to catch them.

"We have been out on patrol every single night. It is very tiring but we will do anything to protect our horses."

Over the past few weeks, the group has passed on a number of vehicle registration numbers to police.

It is also circulating informatin and advice to people on farms and smallholdings.

The spokesperson said: "The police are helping us a lot and are looking out themselves.

"We don't want to give too much away about what we are doing or say exactly who or where we are, but we are as determined to catch these people as they are to steal from us."

Anyone with information about the thefts should telephone police on 0845 606 0365.

Alternatively, you can give information anonymously to the Crimestoppers line by calling 0800 555 111.