Bramley: Fourteen lambs mown down by car in field

There were also pregnant ewes in the field

Police are appealing for witnesses following the death of 14 lambs after a car drove into a field near Guildford.

Bramley-based farmer Nick Hutley checked on his sheep on Thursday morning and found 12 lambs dead, with another two later put down due to their injuries.

Police said was believed the lambs were mown down, described by Mr Hutley as "mindless" and "simply crazy".

Surrey Police attended the scene to carry out further inquiries.

The lambs at Gate Street Farm were less than a year old and kept in a field of 50 sheep.

Mr Hutley told BBC Radio Surrey whoever was responsible took the gates to the field off their hinges and "pushed through" a further gate to get to the sheep.

The farmer described rural crime as an "ongoing battle" and said it was "getting potentially dangerous if people feel that they can joyride like that and kill livestock".

Waverley Neighbourhood Sergeant Phil Bayman said: "This incident is extremely unusual, and we appreciate that it will have caused considerable distress to the owner of the farm and within the wider community."

Gate Street Farm is on the Wintershall Estate

He asked anyone with information, including anyone who may have seen a damaged vehicle in the area overnight on Wednesday into Thursday, to come forward.

Surrey's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, said any attack on livestock could have "devastating" consequences for Surrey's rural communities and farming families.

She added: "It is deeply troubling to hear of this horrific incident, and I share the understandable anger and upset of the farmer affected.

"I fully support our excellent Rural Crime Team in their work to bring this offender to justice, and I know they are working hard to do so."

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