Police in West Dorset are appealing for information after a large number of lambs were stolen from a field near Beaminster.

It’s thought 210 Texel, Charollais and Beltex cross lambs were taken from the field sometime over the last three months.

The lambs were wearing ear tags with the flock number ‘UK347813’ on and all have white faces.

Dorset Police are keen to hear from anyone with information regarding this incident. In particular, they are asking members of the public if they have been in the area and seen anything – such as any vehicles with livestock trailers attached acting suspiciously.

Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the sheep can contact Dorset Police on ‘101’, or alternatively, at email [email protected] quoting occurrence number 55180204397.

Alternatively, those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Rural Crimestoppers on: 0800-783-0137 or by visiting the Rural Crimestoppers website.

Farmers and smallholders, please remember:

  • 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.

For more information on measures to protect your livestock or to arrange for crime prevention visit to your farm or smallholding please contact the rural crime team via email on: [email protected].