Staffordshire Police has appealed for information regarding the theft of nine pigs from a farm in Lichfield in two separate incidents.

In the first incident, which occurred on October 3, the force said three pigs were stolen from the farm on Tamworth Road, Lichfield.

The second incident involved the theft of six more pigs, which occurred between 6:00p.m on October 9 and 6:30a.m on October 10 at the same farm.

During this incident, another six pigs were left injured at the farm.

Staffordshire Police said it received the reports on October 11 and believe that the suspect or suspects drove up a track to gain access to the farm before leaving the scene with the stolen pigs.

The force said it is currently reviewing CCTV of the area at the time of both thefts.

“If you have any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could help us with our inquiries, contact us on 101, quoting incident 230 of October 11, or use live chat on our website,” Staffordshire Police said.

Staffordshire animal welfare offences

Three Staffordshire farmers have been convicted for offences relating to animal welfare, cattle identification and movement rules.

51-year-old Charles Gibson and 44-year-old Alison Bailey, both of Leonards Farm, Hot Lane, Biddulph Moor, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences at Cannock Magistrates Court in April this year and were sentenced on Tuesday (October 17).

Wheelton Farms Ltd, represented by its director Martin Wheelton from Millend Farm, Harbour Lane, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty to cattle identification and movement offences.

The farmers were prosecuted by Staffordshire County Council’s trading standards animal health team.

At the sentencing at Telford Magistrates’ Court, Gibson was given a 20-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work. 

Gibson was also ordered to pay fines of £4,000, a victim surcharge of Â£128, and given a lifetime ban from keeping all animals.

Bailey was given a community order with 80 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £90. She was also given a lifetime ban from keeping all animals. 

Wheelton Farms Ltd received fines totalling £32,000 and ordered to pay £7,500 in costs.