Staffordshire Police are appealing for information after a number of sheep were reported missing from fields off Yarnfield Lane, near Stone.
The incident involves the disappearance of 15 animals in total, made up of 13 ewes and two Texel rams. Police say the livestock are believed to have gone missing over a six day period between Friday 26 December 2025 and Thursday 1 January 2026.
Their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area of Yarnfield Lane during that time and noticed anything out of the ordinary.
That includes unfamiliar vehicles, trailers or livestock being moved, particularly late at night or in the early hours. Even small details that may not have seemed important at the time could help piece together what has happened.
Livestock theft remains a concern for rural communities, especially during quieter periods over Christmas and New Year when fields may be checked less frequently and roads are quieter. Incidents can have a significant impact on farmers, both financially and emotionally, particularly when breeding animals are involved.
A spokesperson said officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed anything unusual in the area during the dates in question, or who may have dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage covering Yarnfield Lane or surrounding rural roads.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or by reporting online. When getting in touch, people should quote the incident reference SP-20260108-0453 so the information can be passed directly to the investigating officers.
Police stress that no detail is too small, and what may seem insignificant could help move the investigation forward.
