UK: 55 Sheep Disappear in the Isle of Lewis, Sheep Theft Increased by 15% Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sheep rustling has become a challenge in the agricultural and livestock industry of the UK's rural areas.

In the latest yet outstanding cases of them, 55 sheep have reportedly disappeared in the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles, Scotland, in a span of one and a half months.

The incident added to the growing concerns affecting local crofters and farmers that such rural crime has increased since the pandemic resulted in an increased demand for food.

This paved the way for a reported spike in livestock theft and butchering.

55 Sheep Missing

(Photo : Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Between February 16 and April 2, suspected thieves have stolen 55 sheep from the Laxay Common grazing area in Lewis.

A BBC report mentions that the incident has already caught the attention of the local police as of Wednesday, May 4.

Among the missing sheep, includes 32 ewes and 23 unborn lambs from the said area shared by crofters for raising livestock.

The 32 sheep, with a breed mixture of Beltex, Mules, Texel, Oxford, and black-faced crosses, were reportedly expected to deliver the 23 lambs.

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Mysterious Disappearance

According to the UK-based farming and agri-business news The Scottish Farmer, the owner of the missing sheep Lewis crofter, Ruth Macdonald, has shown her desperation and frustration due to the disappearance of the high-valued livestock in "mysterious circumstances" while out on the moor.

A decade ago, Ruth, a former shepherd on dairy farms in the mainland UK, decided with her husband to create a pedigree flock of Texel sheep with commercial ewes. In 2021, Ruth bought the 23 young sheep, which she considered a big investment, and sent them to the moor with the rest of the flock.

Ruth went back for her sheep for lambing several times with no issues.

However, the flock disappeared when she visited them in April. The sheep owner only noticed when she was gathering the rest of the herd of sheep at the site.

Initial Investigation

Preliminary investigation by the police suggests that a vehicle, notably a trailer, was used by the suspected thieves to remove the sheep from the area, given their large numbers, according to Constable Rick Henderson from Stornoway Police Station, as cited by the BBC.

Henderson also expressed the local authorities' interest in speaking with anyone with knowledge of the incident, particularly if they believe someone was offered the sale of the sheep.

The appeal came after the police conducted extensive and widespread searches of the area, with no evidence or traces of the animals being found.

There were also no immediate reports if the local police have already found a potential lead or suspect/s.

Rural Crime: Sheep Rustling

Widespread sheep thefts have increased across Great Britain, making sheep rustling the most economically-damaging crime for farmers, just after an agricultural vehicle and machinery theft, according to the NFU Mutual rural insurer company, as cited by The Guardian.

The rural insurer also estimated there has been a 15% annual increase in terms of sheep rustling since the COVID-19 pandemic, with most livestock stolen such as sheep and lambs in April.

In Scotland alone, the insurer approximated the cost of the rural crime has increase to 44% or £2.3 million in 2021, as cited by The Scottish Farmer.