FARMERS are being urged to be on their guard after around 450 sheep were stolen from a farm - with reports of sheep rustling on the increase.

The large-scale theft - valued at around £60,000 - occurred overnight on April 17 when around 450 in-lamb cheviot ewes were stolen from a farm near Moffat.

The incident happened some time between 5pm on Sunday, April 17 and 5pm on Monday, April 18, from an area north of the A708 near Grey Mares Tail.

Large vehicles would have been needed to move this number of sheep by road and it is hoped that someone with information will come forward.

Gemma Thomson, Legal and Technical Policy Manager for NFU Scotland, said: “The frequency and scale of sheep rustling in Scotland seems to be on the increase.  The logistics involved in a theft of this scale would suggest that this was pre-meditated, which is worrying for the industry.

“We urge farmers to be on their guard and check their flocks more regularly than they normally would."

Police request that the farming /rural community remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity, noting down registration numbers and descriptions where possible.

All unexplained, suspicious stock losses should be reported to the police immediately - call 101 or 999 in an emergency.