MP urges farmers to join community messaging scheme after high livestock crime figures

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on farmers to sign up to the Community Messaging scheme after it was shown that £413,530 worth of livestock has been stolen in Cumbria over the last three years.

According to figures obtained by the News & Star £413,530 worth of livestock has been stolen during the past three years - with stolen sheep accounting for £368,761. Around 1,600 farmers across the county have signed up to Cumbria Community Messaging, which sends out emails warning of particular crime trends. Tim is calling on more local farmers to join.

To join the scheme you have to fill in a simple form which can be found here: https://www.cumbriacommunitymessaging.co.uk/

Cumbria Police are asking the community to help them tackle sheep and livestock thefts in rural areas. The force have launched a week of action to raise the profile of livestock crime in rural areas. Tim has welcomed this initiative and called for this to continue.

Tim said: "Rustling rises in November and December as the nights draw in. I'm encouraging the public to report any suspicious activity, and farmers to join the community messaging service. It's free to join and will allow the police to let farmers know quickly via text or email of crimes committed so farmers can be prepared."