North Wales Police believe the thefts have been carried out by highly organised criminal gangs
Rob Taylor of North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team says organised criminals are stealing farm animals in North Wales
Around 100 farm animals have been reported stolen by organised cattle and sheep rustling gangs this week.
More than 80 sheep and 13 Friesan calves have been taken from farms in Bala , Rhuallt Hill , Pandy Tudur near Llanrwst and at Padog in Betws-y-Coed .
North Wales Police’s Rural Crime Team said the scale of the thefts was “unusual” and could have been carried out by criminals with an in-depth farming knowledge who are targeting farmers in North Wales.
Rural Crime Team manager Rob Taylor said the rustlers would have needed a good knowledge of livestock to round up the animals and make off with them.
He said: “We have had a high number of livestock thefts reported to us in the last week which we are investigating.
“It is unusual to have so many in such a short period of time. It is likely they have been taken over the last few weeks as farmers don’t always get the chance to check their livestocks for a few weeks – but they have all been reported this week.
“It’s alarming and concerning – but these aren’t normal thefts. This is organised criminality.”
He added: “These thefts are not committed by normal people – they are going to have a good and in-depth knowledge of livestock in order to round-up the animals, transport them and dispose of them.”
The rural crime team are urging farmers to be vigilant and contact police if they see anything suspicious.
Mr Taylor said that they have “extra eyes and ears” across North Wales having recruited four special constables to the team recently.
He said: “We are the busiest team in the UK and the more we can to enhance the team the better. We have just recruited four Special Constables to our team to help us so we have extra eyes and ears on the ground.”
Anyone with information should call North Wales Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/sheep-cattle-rustlers-steal-100-12195023
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