Professional gangs behind sheep butchering attacks, say police

Sheep are being butchered in fields by organised criminal gangs who then sell the meat on the illicit food market, police say.

Since the start of the year, forces across the Midlands – including Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire – have reported a rise in illegal sheep butchery incidents in farmers’ fields.

In Warwickshire alone, since 1 January 80 sheep or lambs have been reported butchered in fields and 29 sheep have been reported stolen from farms. Up to 40 sheep have been butchered in the West Mercia area.

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Police believe the offenders visit fields during the day to plan their attacks and park vehicles in areas where they cannot be seen.

The acts of butchery and theft are more likely to be carried out on clear nights when there is better visibility from moonlight, often in secluded locations near main roads.

The offenders take the saleable parts from fields and sell them on the illicit food market.

‘A lot of blood’

John Clarke, of Manor Farm in Harborough Magna, near Rugby, told the BBC he has lost 61 sheep in the past month in three separate incidents of theft and butchery.

He said: “There’ll be a lot of blood about, a lot of legs left lying about. Anything that you can’t eat is just left behind in a big heap.

“We go from being upset now to being a bit angry. The fact that they’ve come back again for more and the sheep we pride ourselves on being well looked after here are having such a rough end to their life.”

Meanwhile, farmer Oliver Johnson was woken by the noise of rustlers making off with one of his in-lamb ewes in the middle of the night. The incident was captured on CCTV just before 2am on 7 March.

Mr Johnson’s wife, Charlotte, told Farmers Weekly the incident had left her feeling “angry and upset”. The remains of the sheep were later discovered in a carrier bag outside a block of flats in Leicester.

Suspect arrested

Warwickshire Police say they have some success in tracking down suspects. On 16 April, a man who had dead sheep in his car was detained “thanks to the vigilance of farmers and the public”.

The 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, and assaulting a police officer.

Carol Cotterill, rural crime officer at Warwickshire Police, said: “Theft and illegal butchery of sheep is a serious offence which causes suffering to the animals, some of which were in lamb or with lambs at foot, and financial repercussions to farmers.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing into the incidents and we would urge anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity or has any information that could help with our enquiries to please come forward.”

The NFU has described the illegal slaughter of animals as “abhorrent” and it has urged anyone with information to contact police on 101 or call the Crimestoppers rural crime number anonymously on 0800 783 0137.