A LOCAL authority and farmers found themselves victims of sheep rustling when around 200 animals were stolen from a pound.

Some of the stolen sheep had been impounded as strays, under the foot-and-mouth disease regulations.

They were being kept at a fenced, stock-proof field at New Cemetery in Cemetery Road, Brynmawr.

The sheep were in the process of being returned to their owners under licence by officials at the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The flock was stolen on Wednesday after thieves breached a perimeter fence to gain access to the field some time overnight .

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent council said: "All of the sheep, which are mostly ewes and lambs, are readily identifiable, with yellow ear tags and markings to their backs."

She added that Defra had been notified, as well as the police.

Although a value has not been placed on the stock, it is estimated the local authority has lost £3,000 through the theft because they charge farmers £15 a sheep to be impounded. The value of the sheep is expected to be much higher than that.

Sergeant Andy Morgan, of Brynmawr police station, said: "In this stage of the enquiry we are obviously looking at the probability of at least one vehicle being used with this quantity of sheep.

"So we are also looking at the probability of a gang of people being involved. "At the moment we are pursuing several lines of enquiry.

"We are appealing for people to come forward and help us with our investigation into what is an unusual but serious crime."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Brynmawr police station on 01495 310773.