Livestock heavily impacted by rural crime: sheep disembowelled and 36 lambs stolen
2nd August 2024
The publication of the latest rural crime report coincided with the horrific news that a sheep was recently disembowelled in Oxfordshire and 36 lambs were stolen from a Staffordshire farm.
Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Taskforce confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident that occurred in Shrivenham on Wednesday, 24th July, between noon and 1pm.
People working in a field by the canal went on a lunch break, and on return, they found out that a sheep had been disembowelled, police said.
Thames Valley officers believe this was done using tools belonging to the workers that were left at the scene.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “The Rural Crime Taskforce is investigating a report of a sheep being killed in Shrivenham.
“If you have any information regarding this offence please call 101 quoting the reference 43240355278.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
36 lambs stolen
The horrible incident has been followed by the news that 36 lambs were stolen from a Staffordshire farm.
The livestock went missing from a farm in Perton on 28th July. Officers believe that the lambs were taken between 11 pm on Friday, 26th July, and 1.30 pm on Sunday, 28th July 28.
Staffordshire Police are asking anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage of the area to get in touch via Live Chat or 101 quoting incident number 334 of July 28.
At the end of June, 126 sheep, including 80 lambs stolen from Nottinghamshire farm.
Devastating impact of livestock theft
On 1st August, NFU Mutual published its Rural Crime Report 2024. According to the latest figures, the cost of rural crime in the UK has exceeded the estimated £50 million last year as thieves became more organised and determined.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, said: “It is concerning that the cost of livestock theft remained high throughout 2023 at an estimated £2.7 million.
“Livestock theft itself is not a new phenomenon, but in recent years has become a highly organised crime, often involving 50 or more sheep being taken in one raid.
“These incidents can have a devastating impact on farming businesses, such as disrupting breeding lines and the stress of having to source and purchase new livestock.”
Ms Binns added that livestock theft can also cause a huge amount of worry to farmers and their families about the welfare of stolen farm animals.
“To tackle this issue, NFU Mutual are proud to fund the UK’s first national livestock theft prevention officer at the National Rural Crime Unit and look forward to working with them closely to identify criminal activity and ensure dedicated police resources are targeted in areas needed most to protect farmers and their livestock,” she concluded.
To deter thieves, NFU Mutual advises farmers to ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up-to-date, vary times of feeding and looking stock, consider relocating stock to fields away from roads or housing indoors if possible, and report any suspicious activity to the police.
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