LIVESTOCK thieves are becoming 'highly mobile and highly motivated' as they target vulnerable farming communities, the country's leading farm insurer has warned.

Although cattle and sheep thefts are falling overall across the UK, including the North West, there has been a 'redistribution' of livestock crime, with thieves capable of striking anywhere, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Tim Price said.

He spoke out after John Richardson had 26 pedigree Swaledale sheep worth £46,800 stolen from land at Long Marton, near Appleby.

Mr Price, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said; “That we are seeing an overall reduction in livestock theft nationally is great news. However, the reduction isn’t dramatic and levels remain higher than they were throughout the whole of the first decade of the 21st Century. And although several regions have benefited from this reduction, others, conversely, have seen a rise in cases of livestock theft.

“What we are seeing is a redistribution of livestock crime reflecting the fact that criminals are often highly mobile and highly organised and will happily move to take advantage of vulnerable communities. This all serves to emphasise the on-going need for vigilance when it comes to tackling livestock theft.”

Mr Richardson said his stolen sheep were from among the best of the flock from that year’s batch.

“It doesn’t look like they have been stolen for the meat market. They were in a field next to hundreds of fattening sheep which were much easier to steal. This would suggest that the thieves have definitely known which sheep to go for.

“I’m in no doubt that these sheep have been stolen by somebody with plenty of dog power and shepherding skills. It would not have been easy for the thieves. The sheep are awful to lead and had only been loaded onto a trailer once before being stolen. The location of the gate in the field would have also made the theft awkward.”

Thankfully, the NFU Eden Farm Crime Prevention Scheme is up and running. The scheme is made up of farmers who have agreed to become the start of a network who will feed information to the police and provide advice when required.

Cumbria Police PCSOs Karen Dakin (5206) and Janet Allinson (5169) are part of the scheme and have been assigned to Mr Richardson’s case as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Rural Crime Strategy.

PCSO Dakin added: “Mr Richardson contacted the police at 2pm on 11 April after making an unsuccessful search for his missing sheep. His wife had called earlier that morning because her horses had been let out of a field and were found in Brampton as part of the search for the sheep.

“We sent out an alert for information via Cumbria Community Messaging, contacted local auction marts and have informed adjoining police forces. The quality of these Swalesdales means they will be noticeable.”

Anyone who has information about this crime should call Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555 or the police on 101. Please quote incident number: CP-20150411-0183.

The sheep have a red and blue wool mark on the loin, a slit in the near ear and are stowed on the far ear. The holding numbers on the tags is: UK1030 4.

Amanda Wallbank is the NFU representative in the Appleby area and is setting up the NFU Eden Farm Crime Prevention Scheme’s Facebook page.

Amanda added: “The NFU will do all it can to help Mr Richardson and the police identify the culprits of this crime. The Swaledales must have been stolen to order as a foundation for breeding or to compete at a show.”