Local farmers at risk as 79 sheep stolen in Lancashire

The Beltex sheep were marked with blue rumps while the lambs were marked in red on the right flank and tagged with flock number 180911 (Stock photo)
The Beltex sheep were marked with blue rumps while the lambs were marked in red on the right flank and tagged with flock number 180911 (Stock photo)

Farmers have been warned to be on alert after two separate incidents of stolen sheep and lambs were reported in Lancashire.

The first raid happened at a farm in the Feniscowles area of Blackburn, while the second happened on land in Hapton with a total of 79 Beltex sheep stolen.

Police said the first incident saw 57 lambs were stolen from a farm in Stockclough Lane in Feniscowles some time between Christmas Eve and March 21.

The second theft happened at a farm off Hameldon Road in Hapton between February 12 and February 19. In that incident 22 pure Beltex and Beltex cross sheep, all in lamb which are due in April onwards, and all marked with blue rumps were stolen.

Inspector Anthony Ford said: "If you have any information regarding the stolen sheep please call 101 and quote the relevant log reference number.

"You can leave information for the police anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Please be vigilant in rural areas and report any suspicious activity to the police at once."

'Despicable crime'

Wildlife officer PC Nigel Keates said: "This is a despicable crime which puts the livelihoods of farmers at risk.

"Not only does it hit them financially but even if they replace the sheep they still lose generations of breeding.

"The sheep are also often kept in cramped conditions and subject to unnecessary suffering.

"We will endeavour to catch those individuals responsible and put them before the courts."

The Beltex sheep were marked with blue rumps while the lambs were marked in red on the right flank and tagged with flock number 180911.