POLICE are urging farmers to be vigilant after dozens of lambs were stolen in a theft near Harrogate.

Between Thursday 20 and Friday, July 21, about 60 lambs were taken from the Lofthouse area.

It is believed the theft happened in the early hours of the morning, and the thieves would have needed transportation such as a cattle trailer or similar to remove such a quantity of sheep.

PC David Mackay, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “The sheep were marked with red across their shoulders, which may now have faded. They have been described as not yet ready and still quite small, and so there is the possibility that they may be on land somewhere.

“If you have any information regarding the theft or are aware of sheep with this marking suddenly appearing on land please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting 12170128773 or email me, david.mackay@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.”

In another incident of sheep theft in the Harrogate area, ten lambs were taken from a property on the B6161 Otley Road near Beckwithshaw sometime last week. That investigation is also ongoing.