Spate of thefts reported across Dolbenmaen with one farmer losing 23 to thieves
Farmers are to meet police next week after a spate of sheep rustling in Gwynedd.
They have reported a “large and growing number” of thefts of sheep and lambs in the last year in the Golan, Cwm Pennant and Cwmystradllyn areas of Dolbenmaen.
One of those hit was Eifion Williams who lost 23 sheep, Suffolk crosses and Mule ewes, from his Hendre Hywel farm in Prenteg between August 1 and September 8 last year.
The sheep farmer of 47 years, who also owns two other farms in Chwilog and has 670 ewes in total, said the rustled sheep were worth almost £3,000.
Mr Williams, who reported the rustling to North Wales Police, said: “I counted the sheep on August 1 and when I next went to gather the sheep in early September to clean their tails, I discovered 23 had been stolen so I reported this to police.
“I’ve not been able to recover them since and I fear they’ve been slaughtered.
He added: “Understandably, it’s had a big impact on my livelihood as I’ve had to replace them.
“Every time I go to count the sheep, I worry that more might be stolen. I will be attending this meeting to state my concerns.
“But I’d like to thank Rhian Jones and Delyth Jones from Welsh EID (Electronic Identification) who have been great in trying to help me find the sheep.”
Cllr Stephen Churchman, who represents the Dolbenmaen ward of Gwynedd Council, said he has spoken to a number of members of the farming community who say they have had sheep and lambs stolen.
Cllr Churchman said: “Following the theft of a large and growing number of sheep and lambs in the last year in Golan, Cwm Pennant and Cwmystradllyn, farmers and Dolbenmaen Community Council have requested a meeting with North Wales Police for a round the table discussion.
“This will give farmers the opportunity to discuss their concerns and for all to discuss ideas for closer working to try and resolve the problem.
“There’s no indication who’s behind the thefts and they are more regular than normal.
“Thefts of sheep and lambs can have a drastic effect on a business. This could be the difference between surviving and going under.”
Gwynedd Watkin from the Farmers’ Union of Wales said: “I know a number of members who have said they have had sheep and lambs stolen from their farms in this area.
“Sheep farming is an important aspect of rural communities and I’m very concerned about these reported thefts.”
A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of sheep going missing from a farm in the Dolbenmaen area between August 1 and September 8.”
The meeting, which is only for farmers local to Golan, Cwm Pennant and Cwmystradllyn, takes place on Monday February 13 at the Neuadd in Golan.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/sheep-rustlers-target-gwynedd-farms--12577554
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