FARMERS are being warned to keep a close eye on their livestock following a spate of sheep thefts.

Police in Ledbury said that three incidents have taken place within a month in the Ledbury area.

Thieves hit two Tarrington farms during January, making off with 17 in-lamb ewes from one farm around January 15 and 20 sheep with green marks to their shoulders from another.

And on February 12, 22 Texel Cross and Welsh Mule ewes were stolen from a farm in Canon Frome.

Police said that livestock theft is becoming increasingly common, with organised thieves bringing dogs to round up sheep and put them on a trailer and choosing to cut through barbed wire or fences instead of using the main point of access to a field.

Officers recommend checking animals regularly and distinctively marking animals.

They also suggest the use of landscape tools such as ditches, mounds, bollards or removable cattle grids in vulnerable fields to hinder vehicular access, remote gate and track alarms and hidden trail cameras.

Anyone with any information about the thefts is asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference numbers 0248S 160119 (Tarrington), 0288S 010219 (Tarrington, green marked sheep), or 0203S 120219 (Canon Frome).