A SHEEP rustling problem in Cumbria that 'gets worse every year' is threatening farmers' livelihoods, as a solution is desperately sought.

Police have been attempting to crack down on the issue, which one farmer believes has its root in struggling farmers stealing the livestock from one another.

Cumbria Police has had reports of 328 sheep and lambs being stolen across the county already this year, costing an estimated £40,000 to farmers.

Police and partners carried out a three-day operation to tackle sheep theft and associated rural crime, investigating over 200 vehicles and 5,400 at auction marts in Kirkby Stephen and in the north of the county. However no stolen animals were found.

Pip Simpson, who farms at Pool Bank Farm near Troutbeck, said: "This is a massive problem in the area, and it is getting bigger and bigger every year.

"I think farmers are struggling to make a living so they are having to rustle sheep. And then people get greedy with it.

"In my mind it is definitely farmers pinching off other farmers. They are the only people with the ability to round sheep up and who have the dogs. "They are also the only people who can take out the ear tags and put new ones in.

"That we have farmers pinching off other farmers is very very sad."

The police crackdown, termed Operation Meadow, was carried out last week.

PC Sarah Rolland, Wildlife Crime Officer for Cumbria Constabulary, said: "Sheep thefts have been an issue for a number of years, and the crime is currently a big issue for the farming community in Cumbria. The financial impact to farmer’s when their livestock is stolen is hugely significant, not only due to the need to replace the stock stolen, but also because of insurance premiums.

"It is therefore important that we work with our partners to tackle this issue, and operations like these are a really positive step in clamping down on livestock thefts, as well as looking at animal welfare and movement licences."

Mr Simpson last year received attention for dying his flock orange in an effort to prevent them being rustled.

Speaking of this method, he said: "It was very successful. We had lost 300 sheep over a four year period, and since we dyed them we lost none.

"We haven't dyed them this year, but we might do if the weather allows it."

However, dying sheep is not a long term solution available to all farmers.

Mr Simpson said: "The only solution I can think of is microchipping them. You can take ear tags out and replace them, but you can;t do that with microchips. You can track sheep with GPS as well.

"That is the only way you can effectively regulate the movement of sheep and prevent rustling."