AVON and Somerset Police are appealing for information after a herd of cattle were stolen from a barn in Somerset this week.

The barn door was forced open and 10 cattle were taken from the remote location in Summer Lane, Hinton St George, between 4pm on January 13 and 8am the following morning.

PC Simon Reeves, the area’s neighbourhood beat manager, said: “Each of the cattle, which were a mixture of British Friesian, Hereford Cross, and British Blue, would have had a yellow ear tag containing the reference UK342697.

“The number and size of the animals taken means the offenders would have needed to use a large vehicle.

“We would ask any members of the public who have any information relating to the theft, or who have been offered animals for sale, to contact the police.

“We also would like to hear from anybody should they see cattle being transported late at night. It is extremely unusual to move cattle after dark at this time of year.”

The police are advising anybody concerned about rural crime to sign up to the force’s Farm Watch scheme.

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