Miniature Ponies Make Break For Freedom

13 March 2012, 16:37 | Updated: 13 March 2012, 16:42

Three miniature ponies have made a break for freedom in Essex after would-be thieves tried to steal them.

Police say someone tried to steal the three miniature Shetland ponies from a field in St Mary's Lane in West Horndon near Brentwood.

Between 10am and 10.30am on Monday, March 12, it is believed that suspects tried to steal the ponies by getting them into a van, and they escaped. 

They have since been recovered after roaming for more than 24-hours in a country park in Brentwood.

Insp Neil Barrett from Essex Police said: "This has caused a considerable amount of stress and upset for the owner, who has been looking for the ponies since they went missing. We are keen to speak to anyone that was in the area at the time that may have seen this van or know who is responsible. Thankfully the ponies were unharmed, but it could have turned out very differently."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at Grays police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.