31 in-lamb ewes stolen from mid-Wales farm
© Hieronymus Ukkel/Adobe Stock Police have issued a fresh appeal for information after 31 Mule cross Texel sheep were stolen from a farm in Wales.
The in-lamb ewes were taken from enclosed fields near to Llanfrynach village in Powys sometime between 31 December and 10 January.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep rustling
Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team urged anyone to come forward with information that might help track down the stolen sheep and the rustlers.
Powys – Stolen 31 white faced Mule x Texel breeding ewes which should be pregnant, taken from enclosed farm fields, near to the Llanfrynach village area, Brecon, sometime between 31st Dec – 10th Jan. Seen anything? Any info Tel:101. (927) @DPPBrecon (Photo not actual flock) pic.twitter.com/KbA0mZqiXd
— Rural Crime Team @ Dyfed-Powys Police (@DPPRural) January 21, 2021
Livestock theft cost the UK £3m in 2019, which are the latest figures available from NFU Mutual’s 2020 Rural Crime Report. The rural insurer said this was an increase on 2018’s figure of £2.8m.
Advice for farmers
Options to help protect your livestock include:
- Padlock all gates.
- Ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date.
- Graze livestock away from roads.
- Check stock regularly and at different times of the day.
- Consider a high-tech system such as TecTracer, which puts thousands of coded microdot markers into the fleece. The dots are virtually impossible to remove. Signs are also provided advertising that 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.
- Get gate or fence alarms. These provide text alerts when gates or fences are moved. CCTV is also an option.