Lincolnshire sheep rustling: Three arrested

Two men and a woman have been arrested after the theft of almost 1,500 sheep in Lincolnshire.

Police are questioning a 38-year-old man and 36-year-old woman from Stenigot near Louth and a 63-year-old man from Nettleton near Market Rasen.

The sheep - 900 lambs and 580 ewes - were stolen from a farm in Stenigot on 10 September in a "highly organised" raid, police said.

The three people arrested are being held at Skegness police station.

Health worries

A Lincolnshire police spokesman said: "One line of inquiry is that the sheep may have been stolen to be processed through unlicensed abattoirs and the meat sold via non-legitimate outlets.

"Clearly, there are health implications should this be the case and all efforts are being made to trace the sheep as quickly as possible".

The stolen sheep were estimated to be worth £100,000 when the theft took place.

About 33,000 sheep have been stolen in England between January and August this year, police said.