A miniature working farm based on the banks of the Thames has launched an appeal for the safe return of 11 piglets stolen from its premises on Friday.
Staff fear the piglets will not survive away from their mothers because they are so young.
The 11 two-week-old Oxford Sandy and Black piglets are thought to have been taken from the farm after staff locked up at 7:00pm on Friday, September 14.
Staff opened up on Saturday morning and found half of each litter had been taken, barn doors were all shut and padlocks still in place on the main gates.
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm in the heart of London. It occupies a 2.2ac site on the south bank of the river Thames in Rotherhithe. Its initial purpose was to try and raise livestock and produce food from what was regarded as waste land.
Some of the stolen piglets. Image source: Surrey Docks Farm
In a statement, staff said: “Our two sows, Winnie and Marmalade, both gave birth on September 30. The farm is free to enter and open seven days a week and the little piglets have proved very popular with our visitors. Everyone has enjoyed caring for and watching these piglets grow.
“As the piglets aren’t weaned, they rely on a regular supply of milk from their mothers. We’re very worried that the piglets won’t survive on their own.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or the farm directly on: [email protected].
Police can be contacted using the non-emergency number ‘101’, or through Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800-555-111 quoting crime reference ‘3153/15SEP18’,
