DETECTIVES in Northamptonshire are following new leads in their investigation into a series of illegal sheep slaughters across the county and neighbouring Warwickshire and Leicestershire.
Northamptonshire Police are working with local farmers and police forces across county borders to gather intelligence and progress lines of enquiry as part of Operation Stock, launched in July.
Patrols continue overnight in rural areas, alongside crime prevention work and community engagement to encourage people to call police with information about suspicious activity.
Detective Inspector Johnny Campbell, said: “The investigation into this series of crimes continues and I would like to reiterate how seriously we are taking these incidents in order to bring those responsible for threatening our farmers’ livelihoods to justice.
“Intelligence is coming into the team every day for us to develop and investigate, and I would like to thank those members of the community for talking to us.
“We are currently following numerous lines of enquiry and I continue to urge anybody with any information they have to call us on 101, or 999 to report a crime in progress.”
Following enhanced forensic investigation, the Operation Stock Investigation Team have eliminated a Hampshire man from their enquiries and he has now been released with no further action.
A Coventry man arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage remains on police bail pending further enquiries.
Visit www.northants.police.uk/OpStock for more on Operation Stock.
