Sheep stolen.

Over the last three weeks there have been three incidents of Sheep reported stolen in the Knutsford area the most recent being reported over night last night. These thefts have occurred twice in Rostherne and once in Nether Alderley. In all three incidents the sheep have gone missing during night time hours from fields that are secured with adequate fencing.

In the first incident a prize ewe and a ram were stolen from Rostherne, the farmer suspects that these sheep have been stolen for breeding purposes. In the second incident in Nether Alderley, seven sheep went missing from a field presumed stolen.

In the most recent incident five sheep went missing presumed stolen from a field in Rostherne last night. A blue coloured Peugeot 405 vehicle was sighted acting suspicious on farm premises in Rostherne with three Eastern European males on board yesterday before the sheep went missing. When challenged the males said that they were looking for work around the Rostherne area.

PC Mike Dawber of the Knutsford Neighbourhood Policing Team said "This kind of incident is pretty rare in Knutsford, however other force areas around the Country have reported sheep thefts throughout the last year".

I am appealing for any information particularly from the farming Community in relation to this matter, please contact the Knutsford Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 458 6380 quoting Crime reference no. 0709341240. Have you seen or should you see such a vehicle in such circumstances, please contact  Cheshire Police Switchboard on 0845 458 0000.