Police in Caithness have confirmed that a 22-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the theft of 12 pedigree Suffolk sheep, valued at around £11,000.
The sheep were reported missing from the Bilbster area on July 6.
Now farmers and crofters across the country are being encouraged to report any incidents of livestock theft.
A police spokesman said: “Following extensive inquiries carried out in conjunction with partner agency Scottish SPCA, all 12 sheep were recovered locally and returned to their owner.
“Members of the public are thanked for their support in sharing our appeal and providing information.”
It is believed that livestock thefts are under reported, not just in the north, but across Scotland.
NFU Scotland and police have urged farmers and crofters to check to their stock regularly and report any thefts as soon as possible to police.
NFU Scotland’s regional board chairman for the Highlands, Jim Whiteford, said: “We know farmers and crofters are busy, particularly at this time of year, but we would urge them to check their stock regularly and report any thefts or suspicious activity to Police Scotland as soon as is practically possible.
“Thankfully in this case the sheep have been returned to the owner, and it is through the quick reporting and good work at a local level by all the parties involved that has had this good result.”
PC Willie Johnstone, of Police Scotland’s specialist crime division, said: “The farming community should be assured that our efforts to tackle this form of criminality will not stop.
“This incident demonstrates that police and partner agencies will exhaust all lines of inquiry to track down those who commit crime in the rural environment, and highlights the important part the public play in informing us of suspicious activity.
“Reporting as soon as possible is vital to allow us to maximize our opportunities to detect these types of crimes. We fully understand the emotional and financial significance a crime of this nature has on the farming community.”
