An appeal has been made by police for witnesses following the theft of approximately 500 sheep from a field in England.

Making the appeal, Norfolk Police confirmed that the animals were stolen from a field off the A47 at East Tuddenham, in the east of the country.

According to the police, criminals stole the sheep from a field at approximately 9:00pm on Tuesday night (January 15).

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information should contact Norfolk Police on 101, quoting Op Solve and crime number 36/3983/19. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800-555-111,” the statement added.

Thefts of large quantities of sheep such as this, though rare, are not unheard of. Last year, some 338 lambs were stolen from a farm along the east English coast.

210 cattle stolen from one owner

Meanwhile, in Ireland, 210 cattle were stolen from a single owner in Co. Meath, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed to AgriLand.

The livestock were reported stolen in November.

A total of 347 cattle were stolen from farms and yards around Ireland in 2018, according to the department.