Seventy-nine sheep worth thousands of pounds have been stolen from moorland in North Yorkshire, sparking a police appeal for information.
Forty-one Rough Fell sheep and 38 lambs from a farm in Castleton have gone missing from open moorland in the last few month.
Most of the sheep have yellow tags bearing the number 127821 and have their left ear notched, with two blue stripes across their back.
Anyone with information about the sheep, especially if found in a different location or offered for sale, has been urged to contact PC Wayne Leith via email wayne.leith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or quoting reference number 12200165977.
Earlier this year Inspector Matt Hagen of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce said: “Farmers are doing their best to make a living and keep food on our tables in these difficult times – so having livestock stolen is the last thing they need.
“Livestock theft can be devastating for farmers and their businesses, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
“If you think you have been a victim, or you have any information about who is committing these crimes, please call us.
“We take all reports extremely seriously as we work to keep these criminals away from North Yorkshire’s farms.”
Details about the sheep have been circulated to auctioneers, Rural Watch groups and other police forces.