More than 300 sheep and lambs have been stolen across Cumbria this year - costing farmers an estimated £40,000.

In a bid to tackle sheep theft and rural crime, police were joined by staff from Trading Standards during visits to three different auction sites in the north, west and east of the county this week.

Any sheep taken to auction or being moved from their holding must have a tag in its ear and be accompanied by a completed movement licence. Working together, the team checked the tagging and identity of sheep and whether documentation was in order.

Named Operation Meadow, the team visited marts at Longtown, Cockermouth and Kirkby Stephen. Nearly 200 vehicles were stoped and more than 5,400 sheep were inspected.

Sheep trailers were also checked against stolen trailer databases, while the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) were present to check the safety of vehicles transporting the livestock.

Police said that on each day of the operation, various issues and offences were identified in relation to no ear tags or absent or incorrect movement licences.

As a result, advice and warnings were given, while police and the DVSA also dealt with a number of traffic and vehicle offences.

PC Sarah Rolland, wildlife crime officer for Cumbria police, said: "Sheep thefts have been an issue for a number of years, and the crime is currently a big issue for the farming community in Cumbria.

"The financial impact to farmer’s when their livestock is stolen is hugely significant, not only due to the need to replace the stock stolen, but also because of insurance premiums.

"It is therefore important that we work with our partners to tackle this issue, and operations like these are a really positive step in clamping down on livestock thefts, as well as looking at animal welfare and movement licences.

"It was great to engage with the farming community and the feedback received was overwhelmingly encouraging.

"Farmers are acutely aware of the risk to their stock and equipment, and welcomed our focus on the issue. We will continue to carry out operations of this nature.

"As well as Police constables and police community support officers, many of the police staff involved were either special constables or police support volunteers. Anyone interested in becoming involved in events like this either through volunteering should visit our Cumbria police website."