Friday 17 July 2015

Somerset sheep rustling

As if it’s not bad enough that lamb prices have dropped to a five year low, farmers across Somerset are now having to cope with the threat of sheep rustling.

Avon and Somerset Police report that around 480 lambs, ewes and rams were stolen between May 12 and June 18 in the county. It is believed the sheep are either sold on or slaughtered.

The raids have cost some farmers £10,000 or more, with one overnight theft of 150 sheep from a field in Langport estimated at £30,000. The worst affected areas include Yeovil, Ilchester, Stoke sub Hamdon and East Huntspill but farmers further afield are naturally concerned about this growing threat.


Sergeant Stuart Williams of Avon and Somerset Police Rural Crime team said: "Anyone involved in this crime, whether they are buying animals they know are stolen or their meat, is helping destroy honest businesses and lining the pockets of criminals.

"All the thefts are being investigated, and our units are stopping and checking vehicles capable of carrying livestock day and night to check tags and paperwork."

One victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "It's sickening what these mindless thieves do. The sheep have probably suffered in transit and not been killed humanely."

All sheep are tagged and paperwork must be put in place if they are to be moved off a holding. So if the police find sheep being moved without the appropriate documentation it should be easy to establish that something is awry.

However, understanding the rules regarding ear tagging and movement restrictions is complicated and it is reassuring that the police take this matter seriously.

In June about 60 officers from Avon and Somerset and neighbouring forces in Devon and Cornwall met for a focus on rural crime and were instructed on livestock registration, ear-tagging, movement regulations and what to look for if those rules are being broken.

Sgt Stuart Williams said the training day was “invaluable for making sure that officers covering rural areas have the knowledge to know what to look for when investigating farm and countryside crime.”

Farmers and members of the public who see anything suspicious should immediately report it to the police. They are taking rural crime seriously.  

James Stephen MRICS FAAV
Partner
Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor, Wells

T: 01749 683381
E: james.stephen@carterjonas.co.uk

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