MISSING…More than 1,000 cattle were stolen from the Clogher Valley area in a year
A FERMANAGH councillor has called for more steps to be taken to prevent the growing number of rustlers stealing cattle from local farms after “shocking” figures laid bare the scale of the crisis.
Mystery shrouds the exodus of cows after it was claimed that over 1,000 cattle were stolen from the Clogher Valley area in a year.
Speculation has been mounting over how no arrests have been made in relation to the stolen cattle despite a dedicated PSNI farm crime unit set up to specialise in investigating stolen farm animals.
The figures were released after Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Sean Lynch tabled a question in the Assembly requesting the amount of cattle that has been stolen over the past 12 months.
Between January 2012 and April 2013 there were a total of 1,037 animals reported stolen in the Clogher Valley Area alone.
Farmers are demanding an explanation over why the rustlers have not yet been caught as fears the figures will only get higher if more is not done to protect livestock.
The crime wave has hit parts of Fermanagh including Mullaghfad.
Fermanagh Councillor Paul Robinson for Erne East claimed that his neighbour had almost £5,000 worth of cattle stolen in one day.
The DUP councillor said the “shocking” figures could put businesses and farmer’s lives at risk over the stress of losing their livelihood.
“A farmer who lives near me in Mullaghfad was targeted by thieves who took some of his cattle,” he said.
“The tags were cut off the cattle and were left on the wall.
“Seven cattle were stolen and were valued at around £700 each, that’s almost £5,000 worth of cattle gone in one day.
“It’s worrying and stressful for farmers who have lost the cattle.
“They spend years rearing the cattle and then they’re stolen, it’s enough for people to take their lives because they depend on the cattle to keep the business going.
“Once the animals are stolen it’s reported to the Department of Agriculture (DARD) and the PSNI are notified but that’s as far as it goes.
“That’s the end of the story if they are not insured.
“It’s shocking to hear that figure as I didn’t know it was so high.
“I thought it was a few hundred but not into its thousands, that is serious.”
In a statement a spokesman for the PSNI said: “Police are committed to working with the community and other agencies to eradicate rural crime, including the theft of livestock.
“A number of thefts have been reported in the Clogher Valley and Co Fermanagh areas.
“Earlier this year, police carried out a number of intelligence-led searches in relation to livestock theft in both areas.
“We have also launched new initiatives, including a Freeze-Branding scheme and Farmwatch programmes throughout the area.
“We urge anyone with information about thefts or the suspicious movement of livestock or machinery to get in touch with police directly.”
Cllr Robinson added: “DARD needs to be doing something with the tags so they cant be removed or produce some kind of mark on the cattle that can’t be touched until they are slaughtered.
“It’s similar to what they did with the trailers where a number is given to each trailer and it can’t be removed.
“The department has to come up with something to help stop the numbers from rising.
“The PSNI have introduced a special freeze-branding scheme to deter criminals.
“My farming neighbours are facing financial hardship because of lost or stolen cattle.
“It’s happening across Fermanagh and South Tyrone, including Fivemiletown, Augher and Clogher.”
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