Vehicles transporting livestock in Dorset are to be stopped and checked by police in response to a rise in sheep thefts. 

The number of thefts in the county has risen dramatically over the past three years and officers will be proactively stopping vehicles, checking that movement documents are correct and that everything is as it should be with the vehicle.


The following advice has also been issued to farmers to protect their livestock:

• Keep the gates to your livestock locked and make sure that the hinges are capped to prevent gates being lifted off the hinges.

• Block up unused gateways with tree trunks, old machinery or other heavy objects.

• Consider fitting wildlife or trail cameras to fields where livestock are present to detect vehicle or person movement.

• Fit gate alarms which can be linked to a mobile phone.

• Consider fitting wildlife or trial cameras to fields where livestock are present to detect vehicle or person movement.

• Block up all holes or gap in hedging where fencing is present.

• Consider fitting early warning intervention alarms that will link to your phone.

• Consider using livestock tracing systems.
 
Officers will also be on the lookout for yellow police 'stop me' stickers displayed on vehicles. If you would like to have some stickers for your livestock trailers or lorries, email ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk with your name, address and the quantity and size required - either A3 (large) or A5 (small).

Further crime prevention advice is available at dorset.police.uk/ruralcrime 

If you would like more information on measures available to protect your livestock or a crime prevention visit to your farm or smallholding, contact the rural crime team at ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk

If you have any information about those involved in sheep theft, report this anonymously to Rural Crimestoppers on 0800 783 0137 or by visit ruralcrimereportingline.uk.