Current high prices for sheep and lambs is likely driving an increase in thefts, with two reported in recent days in Co Derry and Co Antrim.
The latest theft of a significant number of sheep happened over the weekend, with the owner reporting they were taken some time between 12 noon on Saturday and 9am Sunday morning.
This followed the theft of 50 lambs from land near Claudy on Thursday night or early on Friday.
The thieves would have needed large trailers to transport the animals from the farms.
“This is a huge financial loss to the owner responsible for the sheep, with similar theft in recent months in Coleraine, and in recent days in Claudy,” a PSNi spokesperson said. Another theft happened in Ballymoney in mid-December.
“The current prices sheep are attracting, although good news for the farming industry, does then lend itself as being a target for criminals intent on making money from their criminality.
“Prevention of rural crime is so important, but this type of theft needs the cooperation from farmers and the wider rural community, to work together and combat it, by taking proactive safety measures to ensuring their flock is secure at all times.”
Officers said the Texel and Suffolk ewe lambs were stolen from a field on the Teenaght Road in Claudy sometime between 7pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday.
“This will be a significant financial loss to the owner, and so our appeal is for anyone with information about what has happened to get in touch,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“To transport these lambs anywhere would have required a trailer and so we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Teenaght Road area between the reported times, or earlier in the week, and saw any suspicious activity or unfamiliar vehicles.”