Theft of pregnant sheep is immoral, farmers say

Farmers say the theft of pregnant sheep is "sickening" and "immoral" and they fear the thieves will return.

Hannah and William Turner said three animals were stolen from a field on the outskirts of Boston, Lincolnshire, in early March.

Heather Oldfield, county chair of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said she had noticed "some increases" in livestock theft, which was "worrying".

Lincolnshire Police said it had received fewer than five reports of livestock theft in 2026, but it understood incidents could be "devastating" for owners.

The Turners, who describe themselves as small-scale hobby farmers, believe the animals were taken after midnight on 9 March.

Hannah, 33, described the crime as "cruel".

"It's really unfair on us and if it is organised crime in some way, it needs to be taken seriously," she said.

The couple said they were concerned the pregnant ewes had been stolen to eat, especially as they had been vaccinated recently.

"If they were like killed for the meat, they would have been killed whilst being nearly due," William said. "Which is a bit immoral."

Following the theft, the couple installed a camera at the field in an attempt to deter criminals.

Hannah said she wanted there to be "a little bit more support from the police and authorities" around livestock theft.

"I think you see a lot of focus on hare coursing, livestock worrying, and they do need attention, but this is happening more and more and it's cruel," she added.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed it had received a report of the theft.

A spokesperson added: "Where reported we would always look for investigative opportunities to identify those responsible."

NFU Mutual's most recent Rural Crime Report showed the cost of livestock theft rose by 3% to £3.4m in 2024.

The report said high-value farming equipment also remained "an attractive target to organised crime groups".

Oldfield said livestock theft took an "emotional toll" on farmers but should also be taken seriously from a "food safety point of view".

"If we believe, which I think we do, that these animals are being stolen for human consumption, there is a risk there and that does play on your mind."

She encouraged people to ask questions if offered "something out of the ordinary" which did not carry a food assurance mark such as the Red Tractor.

Frances Dennis, who farms just a few miles from the Turners, said she had two lambs taken from a field between 11 and 12 April.

According to Dennis, 34, the lambs were three months old and still with their mother.

"I noticed one of the older ewes was going mad, like looking for a lamb," she said. "She just seemed really distressed.

"It's scary and it made me angry, because a lot of hard work and a lot of money goes into this."

Lincolnshire Police confirmed it received a report of the theft.

In April last year, the force said it was investigating a spate of livestock thefts.

Incidents included two newborn lambs being left orphaned after their mother was stolen in the Spalding area.

At the time, an officer from the Rural Crime Action Team said "skins, fleeces, heads and stomachs" had been found dumped in various places around the county.

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