Composite ewes similar to those reported stolen near Clunes in Victoria.

A VICTORIAN sheep farmer will erect motion-sensitive cameras after the reported theft of 300 composite ewes valued at nearly $70,000 from his property near Glengower west of the state’s capital Melbourne.

Owner Ben Fawcett has reported to Clunes Police that the 300 joined 1.5-5.5 year-old ewes valued at about $69,000 went missing between January 13 and March 2 this year.

The November-shorn sheep carried ear tags with the Property Identification Code 3HPFM011 and the name “FAWCETT’. They are due to lamb to terminal rams in June.

Mr Fawcett said some neighbours had noticed lights at night in the area, but an inspection of the paddock’s boundary and cattle yards has failed to detect where the sheep were mustered, loaded or taken from the property.

“They haven’t got onto the neighbours, they didn’t get on the road.

“However they’ve done it, they’ve done it well.”

Mr Fawcett said another farmer about 15 kilometres away had also lost sheep, about 100 ewes, in a similar timeframe and he had about 150 sheep stolen about ten years ago.

He said had sourced some cameras valued at about $4000 that were able lock onto vehicles and people and send a 15-second clip to his mobile phone or computer.

“Considering that about $60,000-plus has walked out the gate, two or three of these is probably a good investment.”

Leading senior constable at Clunes Police Simon Barker said he was a bit of loss as to how the sheep were taken from the property with no evidence indicating where and how the sheep were removed, or if they had been walked down the no-through road leading to the property.

He encouraged anyone with any information to call Crimestoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or the PAL number 131444.