Nottinghamshire police are urging the public to provide more information following the theft of 126 sheep from farmland.

Between June 26 and June 30, unauthorised access was gained to the land on Owday Lane, Worksop. During this time, 46 ewes and 80 lambs were taken, with some lambs left motherless and others taken without their mothers. All stolen sheep have a blue mark on their shoulders.

Investigating officer Amy Jolliffe described the situation as a ‘very sad incident which has left lambs without a mother’.

“The farmer of the sheep has also lost a significant amount of money, affecting his business.

“The sheep have been treated with medication making them unfit for human consumption for a certain amount of time.” she adds.

Officer Jolliffe highlighted the importance of public assistance in solving the case, stating: “No matter how small you believe your information to be, please get in touch, it could help us ensure those responsible are put before the courts.”

Anyone with information can contact the police online, via live chat, or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 14/118707/24.

In related news, livestock rustling cost an estimated £2.7 million in 2022, marking an increase of nearly 10% compared to the previous year.