Livestock owners warned following sheep deaths near Sevenoaks

Rural Task Force officers have issued a warning to livestock owners in the Sevenoaks area after a number of unexplained sheep deaths.

Advice has been issued to local farmers following a recent spate of suspicious incidents in the Halstead and Chevening areas.

Between Friday 24 and Wednesday 29 November 2023, Kent Police received reports that the remains of six sheep had been strewn across the garden of an address in Otford Lane, Halstead. The hides and entrails of two more sheep were later discovered dumped in a layby in Ovenden Road, Sundridge.

Enquiries are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding these incidents, to identify the owner or owners of the deceased sheep, locate those responsible, and bring them to justice.

Advice

In addition to more visible policing in the area, officers are advising people who own sheep to:

• Check them regularly, 
• Report any thefts, 
• Be vigilant, and 
• Report any vehicles parked in rural locations and country lanes that you suspect may be involved.

Appeal

PC Marc Pennicott, from Kent Police's Rural Task Force, said:

‘The theft of so many sheep and the way they were killed is abhorrent. Our dedicated Rural Task Force is working relentlessly to identify the suspect or suspects and take robust action against them. ‘Kent is home to vast expanses of rural land and the force prioritises the protection of its rural communities and works closely with partner agencies to bring those who offend in the countryside to justice.‘I urge anybody with information to contact us on 01622 604100 quoting reference number 24-0225.’