There is yet more sheep-related crime in Macclesfield.

This follows a spat of dog-on-sheep maulings this spring and summer.

Sadly, Macclesfield sheep and their farmers can't seem to catch a break from chaos. As there have been two recent reports of theft of livestock across the Macclesfield area.

The first in Sutton and the second in Rainow, both occurred in the last days of July.

Just under 150 were taken.

It is unknown if the same person or persons were responsible for both the thefts.

Cheshire Police Rural Crime Officer PC Jim Clark had this to say about the Macclesfield sheep thefts.

"A total of approximately 140 sheep have been taken," he said.

"What is also apparent is that the sheep that have been taken appear to have been selected as opposed to randomly picked.

"We ask you are ever vigilant around your farms and report any suspicious vehicles parked or loitering near fields containing livestock.

"We will continue to proactively stop vehicles carrying livestock at all times of the day and night.

"If you have any information that may assist then please contact the Police. Thank you."

You can anonymously come forward with information via 101.

Please note, you must quote the incident number IML 1049669.

Macclesfield Nub News condemn all livestock-related criminals.

For full advice on how to protect your livestock from criminals, please head to the Cheshire Constabulary website.

Rural crime rates have dropped to their lowest level in five years according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual, which estimates the cost of farm theft at just over £43m in 2020.

However, the value of sheep and cattle attacked by dogs was up 10% to £1.3m in 2020, and the cost of farm animal attacks has sharply risen in the pandemic.

Farm insurers NFU Mutual have claimed the cost of attacks on livestock rose 50% in the first quarter of 2021, compared with the same period last year.

Recently, Macclesfield sheep worriers were arrested after they were caught with drugs. Click here to read 'Local cannabis dealers who chased sheep arrested'.

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