We’re urging people to report suspicious sales of meat following the theft of three sheep in Chaddesley Corbett over the bank holiday weekend.

It’s feared that the sheep may have been stolen to be illegally butchered for meat.  The animals were on medication which would make their meat unfit for human consumption.

PCSO Kate Easthope said: “We’re concerned that if the meat from these sheep has entered the food chain it could cause serious health issues for those who consume it.

“As always, for your safety we would only advise buying and consuming meat from reputable sources.  

“As well as being unsafe for consumers, illegal butchery is a serious offence which can cause unnecessary suffering to the animal. Rural crimes like this also have serious emotional and financial impact on our farming communities.

“We’ve launched an investigation into this incident and I would ask, as always, that people contact us if they think someone is selling illegal meat.”

Anyone with information about the theft of the sheep, or who may have been offered meat for sale in the last few days which may be suspicious, is asked to contact PSCO Kate Easthope on 07773046202 or kate.easthope@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 453i of 25 August.