Dartmoor farmers urge action as sheep thefts surge

Farmers on Dartmoor are calling for increased police action to combat the rising threat of illegal sheep rustling, warning that the growing problem is undermining their livelihoods and the region’s agricultural stability.

With sheep thefts escalating, farmers say the situation is becoming dire, and without more resources and police intervention, the future of farming in the area is at risk.

Colin Abel, a sheep farmer on Dartmoor, has been one of the hardest hit, losing 440 sheep over the past year alone. Over the last decade, he has seen £500,000 worth of sheep stolen.

See also: Rural crime more sophisticated than ever, report finds

“This is a growing problem, and it’s having a big impact on our ability to run our business,” said Mr Abel. “It’s not just the financial hit – it’s the emotional toll.”

Mr Abel, who farms with his two brothers, Philip and Nicholas, across 607ha of Dartmoor, has seen the frequency of thefts increase, with criminals targeting both their flocks and other farmers’ livestock in the area.

The Abel brothers farm 5,000 ewes, mostly Scottish Blackface and Welsh Mountain sheep. They believe that rising sheep prices, with each ewe worth around £120, have drawn thieves to the region.

“We suspect the sheep are being stolen for the illegal ‘smokies’ market, or they’re being stolen by other farmers who switch ear tags and sell them as their own,” Mr Abel explained.

“The commons are cleared in November, and when we turn the sheep back out in January, we don’t know how many we have until they come back in November. That’s when we notice they’re missing.”

Mr Abel believes Dartmoor’s many access points are a significant factor in the thefts. “The main issue is that sheep are disappearing from the moor,” he said. “Other farmers are being targeted too.”

Reporting crimes

While farmers are increasingly reporting rural crime, some are hesitant to notify authorities, fearing that higher insurance premiums will result from claims.

Farmers are calling for stronger police presence on Dartmoor and more resources to investigate these thefts.

“The police have a tough job. They are relying on technology and forensics to track down those responsible, but they don’t want to put too much information out as they are close to a breakthrough,” said Mr Abel.

In an effort to protect their flocks, the Abel brothers have tried various anti-theft measures, including permanent sheep markings and trialling satellite trackers from a company called No Fence.

However, at £199 per device plus a monthly subscription, Abel said it is too expensive to extend the system to their 5,000-strong flock.

Technology use

Roy and Helen Radmore, long-time Dartmoor farmers, have also experienced thefts from their 1,000-strong flock.

Mrs Radmore, who is also vice-chairwoman of the Tenant Farmers Association, believes that the combination of market demand and the difficulty in monitoring remote areas is contributing to the rise in thefts.

“I wouldn’t disagree that animals are getting stolen,” she said. “Between turning out and when you gather them in for shearing or lambing, there are always some losses.”

In an effort to protect their sheep, the Radmores have introduced digital collars that alert them if livestock move beyond a designated area.

Mrs Radmore called for the widespread adoption of DNA microdot technology.

“By embedding tiny, unique DNA markers into animals, we could make them easily traceable if stolen,” she explained.

“This could help deter criminals and assist in identifying stolen livestock.”

Martin Beck, appointed as the UK’s first national livestock theft specialist officer, revealed that in 2024, more than 1,300 sheep were reported stolen in Devon and Cornwall, with nearly 800 of those thefts occurring in west Dartmoor alone.

Tracking stolen sheep is challenging, said Mr Beck, as they can end up in the illegal meat market, in other farmers’ flocks, or sold through black-market channels.

It’s a public health risk, as these animals’ disease and medicine status are unknown, and they could be slaughtered in unsafe conditions, he added.

Illicit networks

The challenge is further complicated by the involvement of people within the farming industry, according to PC Julian Fry from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs Team.

“To steal livestock, you need to know how livestock works, and you must have networks to shift them on,” PC Fry explained.

Despite the difficulties, police are working with abattoirs and farmers to gather intelligence and investigate these crimes.

NFU Mutual estimated that livestock theft cost £2.7m in 2023 alone.

Farmers say more investment in rural policing and technology would help stem the tide of livestock theft on Dartmoor.

“We need action before it’s too late. Otherwise, farmers will destock and the hills will just become an overgrown wilderness,” said Mr Abel, adding, “that’s the last thing we want to see on Dartmoor.”