West Mercia Police officers in Leominster have explained why vehicles were being pulled over in the market town earlier this week.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said:
“One of our tactics in the fight against rural crime took place yesterday, under the umbrella of ‘Operation Stop that Sheep’
“This is not the first time we have ran this same operation, it was originally in response to a spike in ewes/lambs being stolen across the County before COVID.
“This operation set up by Leominster Safer neighbourhood team, runs in partnership with Herefordshire Council Animal Welfare Officers and Enforcement teams.
“We set up two vehicle stop points and pulled in agricultural, livestock vehicles, vans and dropside lorries.
“We then checked vehicle and driver documentation, whilst the animal welfare officers checked for documentation for any livestock on board.
“The enforcement teams were looking at scrap/waste carriers and any fly tipping offences.
“The aim of this operation is to combat those who use our roads to commit rural crime.”
