Police are appealing for information after the theft of between 25 and 30 sheep from a field in North Yorkshire.
Some time from Monday 20 March to Friday 24 March, between 25 and 30 Swaledale Gimmer Hogg sheep were stolen from Hardacre, Bentham.
The sheep are believed to have been taken via Newby Moor.
Inspector Jon Grainge, of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce, said: "Over recent years, North Yorkshire Police and surrounding rural forces have taken an increasing number of reports relating to the theft of sheep.
"The difficulty with the nature of this crime is that it is not necessarily immediately obvious to farmers, who may only be able to identify their shortfall at the time of bringing sheep in to scan or to worm, which often gives a wide timeframe for us to work with.
"This is where we need the public's help to call in suspicious movements of animals, or animals appearing in fields unexpectedly."
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Barbara Parsons. You can also email barbara.parsons@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170049726.
