Rustlers steal 210 lambs from Dorset farm
Library image © Tim Scrivener A police investigation has been launched after a large number of lambs, worth up to £20,000, were stolen from a farmer’s field in west Dorset.
It is understood that 210 Texel, Charollais and Beltex cross lambs were stolen from a field near Beaminster in the past three months.
The lambs were wearing ear tags with the flock number UK347813. They all have white faces.
See also: How technology is helping farmers curb sheep thefts
Dorset Police has launched an appeal to find the stolen lambs.
A police spokesman said: “Dorset Police are keen to hear from anyone with information regarding this incident.
“Have you been in the area and seen anything suspicious? Any vehicles with livestock trailers attached seen acting suspiciously?”
Anyone who has any information about the theft or the whereabouts of these sheep is urged to contact Dorset Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 783 0137.
Six ways to prevent livestock thefts
Dorset Police’s rural crime team has issued advice to farmers to try to prevent livestock thefts.
- Keep the gates to your livestock locked and make sure that the hinges are capped to prevent gates being lifted off the hinges
- Block up unused gateways with tree trunks, old machinery or other heavy objects
- Consider fitting wildlife or trail cameras to fields where livestock are present to detect vehicle or person movement
- Fit gate alarms that can be linked to a mobile phone
- Consider fitting early-warning intervention alarms that will link to your phone
- Consider using livestock tracing systems