POLICE patrols have been stepped up in areas of North Worcestershire following a spate of rural crime.
On Wednesday a two-day-old calf was stolen from a farm in Chaddesley Corbett and on Tuesday two ewes were taken from a field in Frankley Green.
On that occasion a lamb was also found bound and in some distress.
Natalie Lowe, West Mercia Police’s rural and business crime officer, said there had been an increase in the number of reported thefts of livestock around the north of the county over the last few weeks.
“While we are working closely with colleagues at Warwickshire Police and West Midlands Police to try and identify offenders we would also like to ask for the public’s help – especially those in rural and farming communities.”
The patrols are being carried out in the areas where the thefts have taken place and others.
With the Government’s lockdown restrictions confining people to their local areas for their daily exercise, officers are quizzing anyone who have travelled to rural areas to ascertain their motives.
They are also checking fisheries and canalsides for people who are fishing when they should be quarantining.
She urged animal owners to take steps to help combat the crimes.
- Field and farmyard boundaries should be checked for gaps and easily accessible areas which should them be reinforced with fencing or planting. Any gates or access points not in use should be blocked with bollards, boulders or tree trunks.
- Livestock near roads should be checked, especially those with young. They should be counted daily to identify any animals sooner which will give police a better chance of identifying time frames they need to investigate.
- Farmers should set up watch scheme with your neighbours – this can be as easy as a messaging group through which to share information or warn others of issues or suspicious activities in the area.
- Any suspicious activity should be noted – including descriptions of people and vehicles (make, model and registration numbers), livery, animals (eg dogs).
It should then be reported by calling 101 or here – on the force’s website.
Natalie added: “I would like to reassure the farming and rural community that we take these offences very seriously and an investigation has been launched combined with targeted patrols in this area.
“If anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously near to the fields and farmland in Chadwich on April 14, please get in touch.
For more further rural crime prevention, email [email protected]
