Farmers warned over summer spike in sheep thefts
© Tim Scrivener Sheep farmers have been put on alert after a series of large-scale livestock thefts in England and Wales.
Police have asked farmers to remain vigilant following the summer spike in sheep rustling, and take as many security precautions as possible to protect their livestock.
Cheshire Police’s rural crime team said approximately 140 sheep were stolen from the villages of Sutton and Rainow at the end of last month. The force said it appeared that the sheep taken had been selected and not just randomly picked.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep rustling
A statement from the rural crime team said: “We ask you to be ever vigilant around your farms and report any suspicious vehicles parked or loitering near fields containing livestock. We will continue to proactively stop vehicles carrying livestock at all times of the day and night.”
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact 101, quoting IML 1049669.
In Cumbria, rustlers stole 29 ewes and 31 lambs from a field near Lowca, sometime between 23 and 30 July. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria Police and quote incident number 81 of 2 August.
In Wales, 64 mixed ewes and lambs were stolen from Llandinam in Montgomeryshire, Powys.
Security advice for farmers
- Padlock all gates
- Ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date
- 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
(Source: NFU Mutual)
Welsh farm raid
In an alert sent on Tuesday 3 August, Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team said the Welsh Mountain, Texel-cross and Suffolk-cross sheep were stolen some time between 13 June and 28 July.
The rural crime team said it was also investigating the theft of 35 sheep – 12 ewes and 23 lambs – from the Builth Wells area.
The Welsh Brecknock Hill Cheviots and one Balwen ewe and lamb are marked with a black “W” on their sides (see picture).
© Dyfed Powys Police
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.
NFU Mutual’s latest rural crime report showed that in 2020, livestock theft cost UK farmers £2.3m.