Farmer left 'heartbroken' after nearly half of his sheep were stolen from Hampshire farm

  • A farmer tells ITV News Meridian's Chlöe Oliver he is devastated after his sheep were stolen

A farmer from Hampshire says he is 'heartbroken' after nearly half of his sheep were stolen.

Around 40 sheep were taken from James Burns's field in Fareham between 9pm on the 10th August, and 2pm the next day.

Suffolk/Hampshire cross lambs were among those taken from the field.

Electric fencing was cut at the farm in Brownwich Lane and it is thought the sheep were led down a footpath to a nearby carpark.

40 sheep were taken from James Burns Credit: ITV News Meridian

Farmer James Burns said: “You're stressed to where they have gone and what’s happened to them and the welfare of them.

"That’s why we spend so long looking for them. You just get worried and the financial hit it will have on the farm as well.

"And the work you have put into getting your new breeding sheep that have gone as well.”

According to the latest figures from NFU Mutual, UK livestock theft cost an estimated £2.7 million in 2022 and often lead to the animals being sold on the black market.

The sheep were all marked with JB sprayed in green and a purple dot on their necks.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the crime number 44240345688.

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