Police are investigating the theft of more than $255,000 worth of Merino breed sheep from four separate properties across western Victoria, reported over the past five weeks.
Officers from Hamilton, Ararat and Bacchus Marsh Police Service Areas are investigating the large-scale thefts from properties in Cavendish, Lake Bolac, Clunes and Coleraine.
They are looking into the possibility the thefts could be linked.
More than 1100 sheep aged six months or older have been reported stolen including:
• 339 sheep from a property in Cavendish believed to have been stolen sometime between 18 October and 11 November.
• 450 sheep from a property in Lake Bolac believed to have been stolen sometime between 25 October and 17 December.
• 240 sheep from a property in Clunes believed to have been stolen sometime between 17 November and 9 December.
• 100 sheep from a property in Coleraine believed to have been stolen sometime between 5 December and 20 December.
Police suspect a truck or multiple trips with a small trailer may have been used to steal the sheep.
If you're the victim of livestock theft, contact your local police station or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Phone 000 for immediate assistance.
Anyone in the farming community who notices suspicious activity, no matter how small, is encouraged to contact their local police station immediately or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Inspector Paul Hargreaves - Farm Crime Coordination Unit:
"There is a huge economic loss from sheep theft of this nature, but despite this many incidents are not being reported to police, which hinders our ability to prevent, disrupt or respond to incidents of livestock theft.
"While we acknowledge the work of local farmers in protecting their livestock, the farming community including farmers, neighbours, stock agents and transporters can always do better by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and reporting anything out of the ordinary to police.
"It is vital that if you see something, hear something, know something or suspect something, that you report it immediately - the information you have might be the last piece of the puzzle that could then solve the crime."
