What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep rustling

Livestock theft is one of the costliest crimes for the UK’s farming sector, with dozens or even hundreds of sheep being stolen in a single raid.

Unfortuntately, many farmers don’t bother to report livestock thefts.

NFU Mutual senior agent Amanda Wallbank says: “Farmers I visit who graze on common or fell land say they have as many as 20 missing sheep each year, but uncertainty means they never report it.

“If the suspected losses were reported then sheep theft figures would increase hugely. It is a much bigger problem than people think.”

But it’s important to report any theft, especially if the industry wants the problem to be recognised and resources put into theft prevention.

See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep worrying

Ms Wallbank, who works in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, says theft numbers vary year-on-year, with pedigree breeding animals the main target.

“Swaledales are probably the main breed we have reported as stolen.Often, they are pedigree and are probably stolen to improve flocks.”

Former senior police officer John Barr believes organised crime groups are becoming involved due to the numbers being stolen.

Mr Barr says sheep thefts can be split into five types:

1. Major organised crime – A higher number (more than 100 sheep) stolen in a single raid. Thieves have used sheep dogs.
2. Illegal butchery – A recent increase in cases of 10-20 sheep, professionally slaughtered, by organised, possibly, foreign gangs. Meat may be sold to restaurants, through backstreet trade and markets. Food safety concerns are high due to meat withdrawal times for sheep treated with drugs.
3. Pedigree sheep – Smaller numbers (one to 20) stolen often to improve flocks.
4. Individuals stealing one or two sheep – Often stolen for their own consumption or sold to a restaurant.
5. Money laundering – Organised criminal gangs buying and selling at auctions to launder money.

The law 

People found stealing sheep can be prosecuted for theft or handling stolen goods.

In 2016, two rustlers who stole 88 sheep totalling £35,000 were sentenced to 24 and 34 months.

Similar cases have seen thieves jailed for three years.

The Theft Act 1968 states:

• A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
• It is immaterial whether the appropriation is made with a view to gain or for the thief’s own benefit.

The type of crime will dictate the sentence, but guilty parties could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Advice on prevention

NFU Mutual advises anyone buying stock to check ear tags and records carefully to avoid buying stolen animals.

It also warns the public that buying meat from unusual sources could mean it is rustled and puts their health at risk.

There are several steps farmers can take to reduce theft and technology is providing effective ways of tracing livestock.

Mr Barr says: “A lot of options are low cost. It’s important you act rather than wait to become a victim.”

Prevention options include:

• Padlock all gates.
• Ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date.
• Graze livestock away from roads.
• Check stock regularly and at varying times.
• Consider a high-tech system such as TecTracer, which puts thousands of coded microdot markers into the fleece. The codes are virtually impossible to remove. Signs are also provided advertising sheep are marked with the product.
• Ask neighbours to report unusual vehicles loading sheep.
• Join a FarmWatch scheme. Many police forces have a rural crime team, a FarmWatch scheme or an active Facebook group to broadcast suspicious activity.
• Gate or fence alarms.These provide text alerts when gates or fences are moved. CCTV is also an option.