Appeal after 160 sheep stolen from Northamptonshire farm
© Tim Scrivener Police are appealing for information after 160 sheep were stolen from a farm in Badby, Northamptonshire, on Thursday 13 February.
The alleged theft took place sometime between Wednesday 12 February 5pm and Thursday 13 February 8.30am.
The farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes they were loaded on to a lorry on a small gated road. The 160 sheep were part of a flock of 1100 store lambs.
See also: Rural crime more sophisticated than ever, report finds
The theft has been reported to Northamptonshire Police’s Rural Crime Team and officers have launched an investigation into the incident.
Dilwyn Harries, NFU county adviser for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR), said rural crime remained a big issue for farmers up and down Northamptonshire despite some strong work from the police and police and crime commissioner to deter and prosecute thieves.
He said: “Threats such as livestock and equipment theft, livestock worrying and fly-tipping, among others, continue to disrupt farming life, leaving a lasting emotional toll on those who work tirelessly to produce food and care for the countryside.
“More work is needed to deter offenders and to help officers with intelligence gathering – so reporting incidents and suspicious behaviour remains key.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 25000098851.