Farm animal thefts linked to organised crime

More than 3,000 animals were reported stolen in Northern Ireland between 2019 and 2024 in a pattern that is being linked to organised crime.

New figures obtained by BBC News NI show that the vast majority were farm animals such as sheep and cattle.

Most of the reported thefts took place in rural council areas like Mid Ulster and Causeway Coast and Glens.

Police said the high value of livestock suggests that some of the cases will have a link to "organised crime and cross-border criminality".

And an Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) representative said the amount of planning involved in stealing large numbers of animals suggests a link to organised crime.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) rural and wildlife crime lead Supt Johnston McDowell said police had been working to decrease the number of animal thefts and in some cases were working alongside the Republic of Ireland's police service An Garda Síochána.

John McCleneghan from the UFU told BBC News NI livestock theft was something the organisation heard about a lot.

"When you look at some of the cases of dozens of cattle or sheep being taken, that takes planning, so that alone is evidence of some form of organised crime being involved," he said.

"The reality is that as the value of livestock has increased in recent years, the value to the criminal and the incentive to the criminal has also increased."

He encouraged farmers to take all the steps they could to deter criminals, including tagging their animals, locks on gates, regular checks and CCTV or tracking devices.

"We appreciate that all this is also an added cost and financial burden to the farmer in already tough times," Mr McClenaghan said.

In January 2024, 50 lambs were stolen near the village of Park in Londonderry in what farmer Dermot Mullan said was a "well-planned operation" that would cost him up to £7,000.

"I received a call from my brother that the sheep weren't in the field, but I honestly just thought they had escaped", he said.

Later that day the scale of the theft would become apparent to Mr Mullan and his family.

"I was in shock, it took a while to sink in, for 50 sheep to be taken in one go without detection would take a lot of planning," he said.

"They came in the middle of the night, it was very stormy so we wouldn't have heard much, they must have rounded the sheep up and had a large trailer waiting and away they went."

Mr Mullan said the incident had a huge impact on his family.

"It's been tough, it's a big financial loss, but there is also an impact on your mental health, not just on me but on the whole family," he said.

"Yes you have the animals to make money, but you get attached to them, especially with the lambs, my two sons looked after them on a Saturday and things like that, so it was a real loss."

He said the figures on the overall number of animal thefts across Northern Ireland were shocking.

He said he knew other farmers who had livestock stolen, but many people did not want to come forward and talk about it due to shame.

BBC News NI previously reported the Mid Ulster farming community was left "traumatised" following a string of burglaries related to agricultural equipment last year.

The cost of rural crime in Northern Ireland decreased in 2024, according to new figures from the rural insurer NFU Mutual.

It fell by 9% to an estimated £1.8m in 2024 compared to 2023, in what NFU said was a result of co-ordinated action against organised and serious crime in the countryside.

But the new report suggested livestock theft remained high across the UK at an estimated cost of £3.4m in 2024.

The PSNI said there was no evidence to suggest that there had been an upsurge in animals being actively targeted.

But Supt McDowell gave some advice to farmers and other animal owners.

He said they should:

• close and lock yard gates at night to deter drive-through thieves
• lock outbuildings at night that hold livestock
• check lighting, alarms and cameras are working
• microchip or tag animals to help with recovery if they do get stolen

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said it took the theft of farm animals "very seriously".

A department spokesperson added: "Rural crime, in particular the theft of farmed animals, is a direct threat to the livelihood of our farmers and to the integrity of the traceability system which is vital in providing assurance on the safety, integrity and quality of our food."