A rural campaigning organisation has put out guidance on sheep rustling prevention following a spate of sheep thefts in north Powys.

The advice from Countryside Alliance Wales(CAW) comes as rural police in north Powys investigate two separate incidents of sheep rustling in Montgomeryshire.

Powys Rural Crime Team say 33 Texel Cross ewes were stolen from Llanerfyl, near Llanfair Caereinion, recognisable with an orange P pitch mark.

Officers are also investigating the theft of 5 Pedigree Texel Ewes from Castle Caereinion on Thursday, September 30.

The national rural campaigning organisation say sheep rustling has developed over the years and involves organised crime, with thousands of pounds worth of sheep being stolen in just one raid.

"We are very disturbed by the reports of sheep being stolen in Llanerfyl and Castle Caereinion and hope they are found and returned swiftly, while those responsible for the theft face the full force of the law," said Sarah Lee, Director of Campaigns at the Countryside Alliance.

"We urge the public to report suspicious activity, that is if they suspect a theft to be taking place, to the police immediately. Rustling has a detrimental impact on farmers. Losing sheep which have been bred over multiple generations can have a long lasting financial and emotional impact.

"The problem is widely recognised by government and the police. Insurers have previously reported that it’s the third most costly crime for the UK's farming sector. The Alliance’s own 2020 Rural Crime Survey also revealed rural people identifying livestock rustling as being in the top 3 priority crimes that police should be tackling in the countryside."

Statistics compiled by CAW show less than 1% (0.75%) of sheep rustling incidents end with a conviction.

They point to importance of using TecTRACER paint to make sure that animals can be traced back to an owner if they are stolen, as well as installing CCTV, using security lighting in yards and drives and setting up geo-fence alerts.

"Keeping regular count of flocks is incredibly important. The sooner the theft is recognised, the higher the chance of getting the sheep back before they are illegally slaughtered," she added.

"Using internal trackers such as mineral bolus', which don't pass through the sheep, can also be helpful. Time is key, as rustlers may remove them upon slaughter, so notifying the police quickly will give owners the best chance of return."

The group also say that grazing sheep away from the road, if possible, is helpful in prevention.

The group strongly warn people not to approach the suspected thieves.

Dyfed Powys Police have asked anyone with information on the thefts to report it via 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.