Horse stealing was a serious rural crime.
In 1885, the Chief Constable of Essex, William Pointz, recorded an incident in Ongar:
A man rode into Ongar late at night on a horse with:
Only a halter
No saddle or bridle
He was stopped twice:
First by an Inspector
Then by a Constable
Both allowed him to pass after questioning.
The next morning, the horse was reported stolen.
The Chief Constable criticised both officers, noting:
The suspicious circumstances
The prevalence of horse theft
Failure to verify the man’s story
The cost of the failed investigation was £1.17s.9d.
He ruled:
Two-thirds of the cost to be paid by the Inspector
One-third by the Constable