Cornwall Trading Standards is urging rural communities to be vigilant following a string of livestock thefts in Somerset in the past two weeks. One incident saw 240 sheep taken from a field overnight in South Somerset. Although sheep appear to be the main targets, other livestock such as pigs and geese have also been stolen.

Keepers of livestock and horses are advised to monitor their animals regularly and record details of individuals and vehicles that are acting suspiciously. Especially if anyone appears to be moving livestock around at night.

Members of the rural community are advised to join Devon & Cornwall Police’s ‘Farm Watch’ scheme which operates similarly to Neighbourhood Watch and enables information to be shared quickly across the farming community. There is a similar scheme for horse owners. For more information on Farm Watch and Horse Watch schemes, please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

Trading Standards recommends anyone buying livestock to be sure of the animal’s origin and identity – theft of livestock can have a detrimental and long term effect on the livelihood of farmers and smallholders. The safety of meat from stolen animals cannot be guaranteed if they have been slaughtered illegally – there may be no meat hygiene controls and it is not possible for traceability in relation to veterinary products which may have been used in the living animals.

Anyone with information on livestock or farm equipment thefts should call the Devon & Cornwall rural crime team on 101.