Farmer speaks out after scores of lambs butchered in field

Two farms, both in Claverley, were targeted on Friday and Sunday where intruders butchered and stole dozens of lambs.

One of the farmers, who has withheld his name, said he first realised he'd been targeted was when he discovered patches of blood stained ground in his fields on Saturday morning.

The farmer, who has worked the land in Claverley for the last 20 years, said: "I didn't what had happened at first. There were about 15 to 20 patches of blood but no carcasses at all.

"It wasn't until my neighbour, who was targeted by who believe are the same gang on Sunday, told me her lambs had been shot before they had taken them away..

"We now know they came in two vehicles and they even closed the gates behind them when they left."

He said he believed the gang had shot the then threw them into the back of a van. And he thinks that the meat from the butchered lambs will end up in the food chain.

"Unquestionably they will be sold for meat. We are still working out what they have taken but we think it was around 15 to 20 lambs," the farmer said.

"These were young lambs only around 35kg so were not due to be butchered and their ewes will suffer in the long term as they are still producing milk.

"It is one of those things that you hear about but you never think it will happen to you.

"Obviously, we are very rural here and if it is not this it is all the thieving that goes on. It is just the way it is going in farming now. The police did come and followed up, but they know who are committing these crimes and targeting the farms but they never seem to arrest them."

West Mercia Police have said they have stepped up patrols in the area and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Inspector Lee Medlam said: “We would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in and around Claverley on Friday or over the weekend to please contact us."