In the rugged landscape of Dartmoor in Devon, farmer Colin Abel faces a daunting challenge – the rampant crime of sheep rustling. Looking out over his flock of sheep, he laments the loss of over 400 ewes this winter, adding to nearly £500,000 worth of livestock taken from him in the last decade. This scourge of theft is not unique to Mr. Abel, as many farmers in the area are contemplating giving up or removing their sheep from the moors due to the escalating crisis.
Devon and Cornwall Police acknowledge the difficulty in policing livestock theft, citing the vast terrain of Dartmoor as a significant hurdle in apprehending perpetrators. In 2024, over 1,300 sheep were reported stolen in Devon and Cornwall alone, with a staggering 62% of those reports originating from west Dartmoor. The prolific theft of sheep poses not just a financial blow to farmers like Mr. Abel but also a threat to consumers, as stolen animals could end up in the food chain with unknown health statuses.
In the neighboring farm of Princetown, farmer Neil Cole shares in the despair of his fellow farmers as he recounts the emotional toll of losing 50 of his valuable sheep to theft. Amid existing financial pressures and the dwindling interest of the younger generation in entering the farming profession, the future of sheep farming on Dartmoor appears bleak. The economic strain coupled with the divisive impact of theft within the community further compounds the challenges faced by farmers in the region.
Despite the grim reality that prosecutions for sheep theft have been non-existent in Devon and Cornwall for the past five years, hope remains for a technological solution to this age-old problem. Innovations like satellite trackers and AI-enabled ear tags offer a glimpse of a potential breakthrough in combating livestock theft. As farmers and law enforcement officials alike advocate for increased investment in rural policing and advanced technology, the battle against sheep rustling on Dartmoor continues, with the hope that a resolution will be found to safeguard the livelihood of farmers and preserve the ancient tradition of sheep farming in the region
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
