Youths sought after lamb dies in gang attack on farm
ALAMB died after youths were seen attacking sheep at a Hesketh Bank farm.
Nearby residents were outraged after a gang – reported to be up 20 strong – was seen running on a farm near the Hesketh Bank AFC and Cricket Club at about 9pm on Friday, May 18.
According to one witness, the group attacked a number of sheep on the farm before being chased away by neighbours.
CCTV footage from the nearby Hesketh Bank Community Centre is being reviewed to see if any of the offenders can be identified.
Parish councillor Iain Ashcroft described the incident as a “tragedy” and said that efforts must be made to prevent a repeat of the shocking incident.
He said: “We have a rural area here, many young people are involved because farms.
“It’s a semi-rural area in some regards because many people don’t know livestock can become distressed very easily.
“We want to speak to schools to stress that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable.
“I think the only thing we can do is get a message they live on out there that this mustn’t happen again.”
A Lancashire police spokesman said officers were called at around 9pm to a report of “sheep worrying” and that no arrests had been made.
The parish council is calling for information to be reported to its confidential nuisance hotline on 01772 977513.