ALLEGATIONS of livestock thefts in Barnsley have fallen dramatically, according to figures obtained by the Chronicle.
The drop in reports of livestock being stolen comes as the largest ever survey into crime and antisocial behaviour in rural areas was launched by the National Rural Crime Network to find out how the police can better serve rural communities.
Figures obtained by the Chronicle under a freedom of information request show the number of allegations of theft of livestock is declining.In the 2012/13 financial year there were seven reports received by police in Barnsley, compared to five in 2013/14 and just two for 2014/15.
The most costly theft in the last three years was 24 lambs, which had a value of £1,440, followed by a bull calf taken from a field, worth about £800, and seven sheep from a field, valued at £700.
Other livestock stolen were ten bantam chickens and pigeons from a shed, a duck from a garden, six ferrets from an allotment, two geese, also taken from an allotment, and a rabbit stolen from a garden.
