'I've lost 4,500 sheep to thieves on Dartmoor'

Colin Abel, a farmer from Devon, is facing a serious issue with sheep theft that is affecting his livelihood. He describes the situation as feeling like the Wild West due to the rampant stealing of sheep in the area. This winter, he has reported that he is missing over 400 ewes, which are female sheep. Over the past decade, he estimates that he has lost nearly £500,000 worth of livestock to sheep rustling. This ongoing problem is causing some farmers to consider quitting or relocating their sheep off the moors. The Devon and Cornwall Police have acknowledged that livestock theft is a challenging crime to tackle, but they are committed to pursuing every possible lead through various methods, including forensics, surveillance, and tracking. Colin Abel is hopeful that increased police efforts and advancements in technology could provide solutions to the issue of sheep theft. Sheep have grazed on Dartmoor for centuries, but their free-roaming nature makes it difficult to monitor them effectively. Dartmoor is recognized as one of the five worst areas in the UK for sheep rustling. Colin's family has been operating Lower Godsworthy Farm in Tavistock since 1888, and he estimates that more than 4,500 sheep have gone missing in the last ten years. With each ewe valued at approximately £120, the financial loss is substantial. Colin's flock, consisting of hardy upland breeds like Scotch Blackface and Welsh mountain sheep, spends nine-and-a-half months of the year on the moor, where they are particularly vulnerable to theft. He emphasizes that the impact of these thefts is not only financial but also threatens the viability of his farming business. He knows of other farmers who are contemplating whether they can continue in the industry. PC Julian Fry, a police officer involved in rural affairs, states that they are taking every report of livestock theft seriously and are investigating all possible leads. The remote landscape of Dartmoor presents unique challenges for law enforcement, making it difficult to catch the thieves in the act. Martin Beck, who was appointed as the UK's first national livestock theft specialist police officer in 2024, reports that over 1,300 sheep were stolen in Devon and Cornwall in 2024 alone, with nearly 800 of those thefts occurring in west Dartmoor. This statistic highlights the alarming prevalence of sheep theft in the region, as it accounts for a significant portion of the total thefts reported across the UK. Tracking stolen sheep poses a considerable challenge, as they can end up in the illegal meat market, be mixed in with other farmers' flocks, or sold on the black market. The ease with which criminals can remove ear tags from the sheep raises concerns about the animals' health status, which could pose risks to consumers if the stolen sheep enter the food chain. Martin Beck advocates for increased investment and training in rural policing and technology to combat this issue effectively. Unfortunately, there have been no prosecutions for sheep theft in Devon and Cornwall over the past five years. The complexity of the situation is compounded by the suspicion that individuals from within the farming community may be involved in the thefts. PC Julian Fry notes that stealing livestock requires knowledge of the animals and the networks to sell them. Despite the challenges, he assures that officers are collaborating with abattoirs, commoners, and farmers to gather intelligence and implement various tactical options. Colin Abel is currently testing the No Fence app, which uses satellite technology to track his livestock. However, the cost of the devices, priced at £199 each plus a monthly subscription, makes it impractical for him to equip all 4,500 of his sheep. He hopes that the price will decrease in the future, making it more feasible for farmers to adopt such technology. Other advanced tracking systems are also being developed, and industry leaders are optimistic that these innovations could provide solutions to the ongoing problem of livestock theft. For instance, the Australian company Ceres Tag utilizes AI and satellite communications to monitor sheep with digital ear tags. Their technology can detect unusual activity, indicating a potential theft, and track the animals to their final destination. The CEO of Ceres Tag, David Smith, believes that as the technology becomes more widely adopted, the costs will decrease. Police are also employing forensic techniques to aid in their investigations, while farmers like Pip Simpson are experimenting with coded microdots to mark their sheep. Pip, who farms near Windermere in the Lake District, believes that technology holds the key to addressing the issue of sheep theft. As Colin Abel continues to navigate the challenges of farming on Dartmoor, he remains hopeful that a high-tech solution can be found to combat this age-old crime. He emphasizes the need for more action to be taken, as the impact of sheep theft extends beyond individual farmers and affects the entire community, potentially jeopardizing the future of Dartmoor itself.