Security warning after cattle thefts from farm buildings

Livestock farmers are being urged to review their security after incidents of cattle being stolen from farm buildings.

Police in Armagh are investigating the theft of 19 Limousin cattle from a farm in Battleford Road between 5pm on 18 January and 9.30am on 19 January. The animals were stolen from a shed.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 and quote reference number 475 of 20 January 2020.

See also: Exclusive survey: What farmers say about rural crime

Avon and Somerset Police issued an appeal after a herd of cattle was stolen from a barn in Somerset between 4pm on 12 January and 8am on 13 January.

The barn door was forced open and 11 animals were taken from the remote location in Summer Lane, Hinton St George.

PC Simon Reeves, said: “Each of the cattle, which were a mix of British Friesian, Hereford-cross and British Blue, would have had a yellow ear tag containing the reference UK342697.

“We would ask any members of the public who have any information relating to the theft, or have been offered animals for sale, to contact the police on 101 and give the reference number 5220010016.”

NFU Mutual has issued advice to help farmers keep their property secure

• Ensure all doors and gates are locked when the farm is unoccupied
• Display warning signs highlighting security measures
• Lay gravel rather than hard standing around farm buildings
• Create earth banks, trenches and ditches along field boundaries
• Have single entry points – ensuring there is only one way in and out of a property can deter thieves

Useful advice to help protect livestock

• Ensure animals have ear tags or are marked with horn-brands or microdot markers
• Keep photographic records to aid recovery of stolen animals
• Take a regular count of livestock numbers

Members of the public are also encouraged to share suspicious sightings with the local community and police. This could include livestock being transported late at night, which is unusual for farmers to do at this time of year.