Sheep rustlers have stolen more than 100 sheep from two farms in Powys, and police are appealing to the public for any information.
Between 65 and 75 ewes and an unknown number of new season lambs have been reported as stolen from the Eppynt common hill near Cefn Gorwydd.
A further 14 speckled ewes with twin lambs – 42 in total – have also been reported stolen from enclosed ground at a farm in the Cefn Gorwydd area.
The thefts are thought to have taken place between July 10 and August 23, 2017.
The livestock are Epynt hardy hill speckled type sheep, pitch marked with a blue G, and are wearing blue and yellow coloured ear tags displaying flock number UK720141. All have ear notches above both ears and a hole in each ear, and all have long tails.
PCSO Glyndwr James said: "These kinds of theft have both a financial and emotional impact on farmers, and we are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to get in touch so we can fully investigate the circumstances.
"Livestock thefts, in particular theft of sheep, provide for challenging investigations. Forensic opportunities in livestock investigation can be very limited. We therefore rely on people to come forward with information that could lead us to the suspects.
"The people involved must have knowledge and experience of handling livestock, the means to transport them and, if planning to sell them on, knowledge of the markets."
Attacks on livestock in the UK is becoming 'more and more of a problem' as rural police stations face closure, according to a report.
The cost of rural crime in the UK reached £42.5m in 2015 and NFU Cymru is asking the government to increase funding to help fight the rise in incidents.
If you have any information regarding this crime or knowledge regarding any other Powys sheep theft crimes, contact PCSO Glyndwr James or PC Jones at Llandrindod Wells police station or by calling 101.
