Police plea after latest Shropshire sheep theft
Another flock of sheep has been stolen in Shropshire – taking the number of animals rustled in one area of the county over the past two months past the 100 mark.
More than 30 Texel sheep were taken from a field in the area of Quabbs, near Newcastle on Clun, at some point between Saturday and Wednesday.
It comes despite a recent drive to crack down on sheep rustling, and police are warning farmers and neighbours to be on the look out for suspicious vehicles and activity.
A spokesman for West Mercia Police's Bishop's Castle and Craven Arms team said: "A report of 74 ewes being stolen was reported in August for the same area around Dutlas, Knighton."
The fresh theft follows increased police patrols just two weeks earlier on the weekend of September 24 around nearby Church Stretton, Little Stretton and Ludlow, as well as Bridgnorth.
Sheep rustling thefts in recent months have included 17 ewes and 13 lambs taken from land in Hopesay, near Craven Arms, between the end of June and the beginning of July.
A further 55 ewes were stolen from a field at Burlton, near Wem, on the same weekend as the Dutlas thefts.
Any information on the Quabbs theft should be reported to police by calling 101, quoting reference 484s of October 12. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
