North Wales Police have confirmed the arrest of six men in connection with the theft of 14 cattle from a farm in Anglesey.
According to a statement from police, the cattle were stolen from a shed on the outskirts of Llanerchymedd, on the evening of December 10, 2022.
Several warrants were executed in connection with the incident, following what police have described has been a “lengthy investigation” by the rural crime team.
Two of these searches were undertaken on two farm locations in the Stoke on Trent area in April 2023, where the stolen cattle, a tractor, and quad bike were successful uncovered by investigating officers.
The investigation was also supported by the North Wales Police drone unit, officers from Cheshire Police and the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team.
The six men, four of whom are from north Wales, one from Stoke on Trent and another from Staffordshire, who range in age between 22 years and 64 years, have all been reportedly charged by police for “conspiring to commit a burglary with intent to steal” in relation with the incident.
According to North Wales Police, the charged will appear before Caernarfon Magistrates Court on April 3 for prosecution.
Livestock theft
According to NFU Mutual’s rural crime report 2024, livestock theft in Britain was estimated to be valued at a figure of £2.7 million in 2023.
While overall incidents of livestock theft are reportedly down on previous years, Wales has seen a £100,000 value increase in related cases.
The British Transport Police has acknowledged the vulnerability of grazing animals in remote rural locations which can often been seen as an “easy target” to thieves.
It has issued the following advice to farmers to help mitigate the risk of livestock theft from occurring:
- Check on your animals regularly;
- Report any suspicious vehicles;
- Improve security around the area where the animals graze;
- Ear tags, horn brands, freeze marking, hoof branding, tattoos and microchips can all help identify your animals if they are stolen;
- In the case of cattle farmers will need to report the loss or theft of an animal to the British Cattle Movement Service within seven days;
- Some areas have Farm Watch or Rural Watch schemes, which farmers could consider joining as an a preventative measure.
