Farmers have been told to take extra steps to ensure a good level of security after over 200 lambs were stolen from a farm in Dorset.
Around 210 Texel, Charollais and Beltex cross lambs have been stolen from a field near Beaminster.
The lambs were wearing ear tags with the flock number UK347813. They all have white faces.
A spokesman for Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: “Farmers and smallholders please remember to 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 which can be linked to a mobile phone. Consider fitting early warning intervention alarms that will link to your phone. Consider using livestock tracing systems.”
Last year, over 270 sheep were stolen overnight near Bridgwater, Somerset in what the police described as a “huge loss for the farmer”.
Based on claims data, NFU Mutual estimate rural crime cost the UK £44.5m in 2017. With an increase of 13.4% on the previous year, rural crime is rising at its fastest rate since 2010.
If anyone has any information about the theft or the whereabouts of these sheep please contact Dorset Police on 101, or via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk quoting occurrence number 55180204397.
