Overview

• Six miniature Shetland ponies were taken from Bramshaw and Cadnam commons in the New Forest between July 20 and 22.
• A 14-year-old mare and her three-year-old filly were found wandering roads near the M25 in Hillingdon appearing starved and traumatised.
• Thieves had attempted to remove the ponies’ ‘TP’ ownership brands by clipping the hair down to sore pink skin.
• A nationwide appeal and social-media campaign generated over 2,600 public tips, leading to the breakthrough that located the two mares.
• Hampshire Police’s specialist Country Watch rural crime task force is following up every lead in the hunt for the four remaining missing ponies.