Farmers in Lincolnshire are expressing their outrage over the theft of pregnant sheep, calling the act both "sickening" and "immoral." This sentiment was shared by Hannah and William Turner, who reported that three of their sheep were stolen from their field on the outskirts of Boston in early March. The couple, who consider themselves small-scale hobby farmers, believe the theft occurred after midnight on March 9.
Hannah, 33, described the crime as particularly cruel, noting, "It's really unfair on us and if it is organised crime in some way, it needs to be taken seriously." The Turners are particularly concerned that their pregnant ewes were taken for consumption, especially since the animals had recently been vaccinated. William added, "If they were like killed for the meat, they would have been killed whilst being nearly due, which is a bit immoral."
In response to the theft, the Turners have taken measures to protect their remaining livestock by installing a camera in the field. Hannah has called for more support from local police and authorities regarding livestock theft, pointing out that while hare coursing and livestock worrying receive attention, the issue of theft is becoming increasingly prevalent.
Heather Oldfield, the county chair of the National Farmers Union (NFU), echoed these concerns, stating she has noticed an increase in livestock thefts, which is worrying for farmers. Although Lincolnshire Police reported fewer than five incidents of livestock theft in 2026, they acknowledged that such crimes can be devastating for those affected.
The emotional toll of livestock theft on farmers was highlighted by Oldfield, who noted the potential food safety risks associated with stolen animals. She urged the public to be vigilant and question any offers of meat that appear suspicious or lack proper food assurance marks.
Frances Dennis, a farmer living just a few miles from the Turners, recently experienced a similar loss, with two of her lambs stolen between April 11 and 12. The distress caused to the mother ewe, who was searching for her lambs, left Dennis feeling both scared and angry. "A lot of hard work and a lot of money goes into this," she said.
As the community grapples with these troubling incidents, the need for increased vigilance and support for local farmers becomes ever more apparent. With livestock theft on the rise, conversations about safeguarding the farming community are more important than ever.