Police appeal for information after more sheep butchered in fields

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Written by Rachel Martin

Northamptonshire Police is urging rural communities to look out for any suspicious activity following more incidents within the last week where livestock have been killed and professionally butchered in their fields.

A total of 14 lambs were killed in a field off the A428 between Crick and West Haddon, sometime between 4:00pm on Sunday, July 7 and the same time the next day.

The carcasses of 12 lambs were stolen and the remains left in the field, with a further two killed but left at the scene.

Between 8:00am on Tuesday, July 9, and 8:00am on Wednesday, July 10, 21 lambs were slaughtered and stolen from a field off the Nobottle Road near Whilton in Daventry, with their remains left behind in the field.

On Saturday morning (July 13), the remains of at least 10 sheep were found in a field in Harrington Road, Kelmarsh, and in Moulton, a lamb was found injured in a field in Boughton Road, after being tied up with electric fence wire.

Across the three incidents at least 45 sheep have been killed.

To help protect livestock and catch those responsible, Northamptonshire Police is urging people who live and work in rural locations to report anything suspicious they see.

Neighbourhood Inspector Scott Little said: “To have this many incidents in just a few days is extremely concerning and we are appealing for information from the rural community to help us catch those responsible.

“Inquiries are ongoing into these incidents and we are asking for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in these areas over the past week to get in touch. We’d also like to hear from anyone who may have any dash cam or CCTV footage that might be relevant or any other information that could assist the investigation.

The lambs appear to have been professionally slaughtered and their carcasses have then been stolen. For farmers to find their animals have been killed and butchered like this is not only very upsetting, it also has financial repercussions.
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“If you see something that strikes you as unusual, out of the ordinary or just a bit ‘off’ please let us know by calling 101 or making a report online. If you think a crime is happening at the time, please call 999.

“Even a small piece of information may be a vital key that allows us to link similar offences and help us identify and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.

“We also want farmers to be aware that this has been happening and neighbourhood officers will be visiting farmers and landowners on their patch over the next few days. We’re also advising that any loose fencing, pens or similar equipment that may be in your fields is removed and securely stored.

“If you suspect someone has attempted to target your animals, or find that you’ve lost livestock in this way, please report it to the police immediately.

Suspicious activity and non-emergency crime can be reported to Northamptonshire Police on 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline. In an emergency, always call 999.

Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111.

Incident numbers: 19000359831 (Whilton) and 19000355217 (Crick) 19000364661 (Moulton) 157-130719 (Kelmarsh)

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[JP1]

Northamptonshire PoliceLike Page
1 hr ·
One person has been arrested in the West Midlands as police raided four addresses as part of an investigation into the slaughter and illegal butchery of sheep.
Officers from Northamptonshire Police and Warwickshire Police executed warrants at addresses in Coventry earlier today, Saturday, August 10.
The activity is part of Operation Stock, the Northamptonshire Police investigation into a number of reports of illegal sheep butchery and theft across the county, which is linked to similar investigations in neighbouring forces, including Warwickshire.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Johnny Campbell, of Northampton CID, said: “This morning’s job has entailed around 25 officers from Northamptonshire and Warwickshire forces, including a specialist search team.
“Their searches will continue today, both of the premises attended and associated vehicles. We are running this as a multi-agency joint enforcement operation, with partners here from Trading Standards and Environmental Health.
“This enforcement operation demonstrates how seriously we are taking this crime series, and how intent we are on catching those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
Head of rural crime at Northamptonshire Police, Inspector Tracy Moore, is overseeing Operation Stock, which involves officers from the force’s Rural Crime Team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, CID and intelligence departments.
She said: “Today’s activities represent just one element of the extensive work underway as part of our investigations into illegal butchery and sheep theft.
“We have been able to carry these warrants out thanks to intelligence received as a result of our teams working together and also with other forces. There’s a huge collective effort underway both within Northamptonshire Police and with our partners in investigating these awful crimes.
“This effort will continue as we work to bring those responsible to justice, and I’d like to thank our rural communities and partners for the support and information they continue to provide.
“All information has value so please continue to let the police know about any suspicious activity in and around livestock or in rural areas.”
Warwickshire Police Rural Crime Inspector Allison Wiggin added: “We would like to reassure the rural community that everything is being done to tackle this crime.
“This joint operation is a really positive step and sends a clear message to would-be offenders that we are determined to stop the offences and bringing those responsible to justice.
“We will do this through regular targeted operations and by working closely with neighbouring forces and partners to share best practice, intelligence and information.
“Whilst Warwickshire Police has put in place Operation Hillman to address the theft and illegal butchery of sheep, the importance of communities remaining vigilant, reporting anything suspicious in or near fields of livestock cannot be underestimated. Thank you to those that have done so already, it has been a great help.”
The warrants were executed at properties in Ransome Road, Fynford Road, Foleshill Road, and Eld Road, Coventry.
A 39-year-old Coventry man arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage remains in police custody.
Anyone with information about offences linked to Operation Stock should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting the operation name. In an emergency, always call 999.
Find out more about #OperationStock at www.northants.police.uk/OpStock

 

[som farmer]

been watching u tube, about companion (guard) dogs in the usa, but do not expect its legal over here, but would help the problem if it were possible, they just live with the sheep all the time.