Stolen Northumberland livestock feared on sale

- Published: 09 February, 2010

A series of rustling episodes in Northumberland may have led to stolen meat entering the domestic market.

Farms in Kirkwhelpington, Harle and Bardon Mill have had animals stolen in the past few days, on top of a series of episodes in November. In total, 150 animals have been taken.

Northumbria police said they have been working with farmers and visiting cattle markets in a bid to trace the stolen sheep.

West Tyndale inspector Dave Thornhill commented: “If anyone has been offered any of the animals for sale, or been offered meat from anything other than genuine and established sources, we want to know.”

“We’d like to appeal to anyone who knows anything about these incidents, or the stealing of any livestock, to come forward and speak to us.”