Midlands action group set up after spate of attacks on sheep

Farmers in villages on the outskirts of the Black Country have set up a "rural watch" group after a spate of attacks in which sheep have been killed or left with their legs tied up.

Guns have fired at night and fences stolen in the crime wave hitting the countryside in an area bordered by Stourbridge, Halesowen and Kidderminster.

At least six sheep have been found dead, some savaged with bite wounds. And on three other occasions lambs have been found left by gates with their legs bound ready for collection.

A gang of around five poachers with torches was spotted near sheep on one occasion but when challenged by a farmer in a Jeep they ran off.

It is thought that sheep are being taken to feed terriers or "blood" them to give them a taste for illegal poaching.

Police have launched extra patrols in the area and farmers in Broome, Clent, Romsley, Blakedown and Chaddesley Corbett have set up "Rural Watch" in a bid to end the disturbing incidents, which started about a month ago.

"It's very distressing when you've bred sheep from birth to find them dead or tied up," said Stuart Geggie, who farms in Romsley, near Halesowen.

Mr Geggie found three sheep dead and one ewe injured after a dog attack on land he rents in the Pedmore area of Stourbridge, several weeks ago.

And in a separate attack two of Mr Geggie's ewes were left with their feet tied together. Police called a meeting, attended by eight farmers and landowners last week at Broome, when the Rural Watch was set up.

"Rural Watch" chairman Ernest Lane, said: "There have been random incidents going on for about a month but then a nurse going home in Broome notified police when she heard shots fired about 10.30 at night."

Pc Andy Wallace appealed for anyone seeing anything suspicious to contact police 101 or 999 in an emergency.

By Louise Jew