Lincolnshire police have appealed for information following a farm burglary in Witham-on-the-Hill in the early hours of the morning of January 8.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Based on CCTV footage, it is believed that five offenders were involved in the crime.

“A van is believed to have been used to ram into the buildings and the keys of a JCB were reported stolen.”

The spokesperson said that an investigation had been launched and enquiries into the farm burglary are ongoing.

“Anyone with information should call Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 91 of January 8,” they said.

Rural crime

Last week, an unnamed man was charged with a total of 16 offences in connection with a warrant carried out by officers from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team.

Officers from the rural crime team were supported by officers from Hampshire Constabulary in investigating an address in Bransgore, Hampshire, on October 3, 2022, after allegations concerning cruelty to deer and hares.

The team announced on Friday, January 6, in a Facebook post, that a 23-year-old man has been charged with:

  • Seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal;
  • Two offences of attempting to kill a deer at night;
  • Four counts of criminal damage;
  • Handling stolen goods;
  • Using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance; and
  • Driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence.

The man is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on January 20, 2023.

Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team said two other men arrested as part of the investigation will remain released as enquiries continue.