No further police action over reported sheep theft

It had been reported that sheep were taken and loaded on to a lorry

Getty Images Dozens of sheep graze in a field. Some are standing while others are on the ground. There are several fields in the picture and a building and a road can be seen in the distance. — It had been reported that sheep were taken and loaded on to a lorry

A reported theft of 600 sheep from fields in Worcestershire is not being investigated further, police say.

It had been reported livestock were taken from secure fields in Kemerton on Friday between 10:00 GMT and 17:00 GMT and loaded on a lorry.

Initially it was feared the sheep had been stolen to be illegally butchered, with the public urged to report suspicious meat sales.

However, West Mercia Police said inquiries carried out by officers found the incident was a civil matter and a spokesman said: "No further police action was required."

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Theft of 600 sheep prompts fears of illegal meat

West Mercia Police

Kemerton