Thieves feared to have slaughtered more than 100 stolen sheep – as criminals ‘weaponise’ cost of living crisis
When farmer Ed Lovejoy rounded up his sheep last month, he was left “stunned” and feeling “pretty sick”.
A total of 116 ewes had vanished from his flock of 460, and the missing livestock were worth £17,000.
Initially suspecting the animals may have escaped, Mr Lovejoy went searching near his farm in Woodchurch, Kent, but there was no trace of them.
It wasn’t until a witness reported seeing someone on a quad bike pushing the sheep to the side of a field that the reality dawned on the 40-year-old farmer.
Brazen thieves had staged a daring raid to steal the animals, which are now feared to have been slaughtered and their meat sold on the black market.
It comes amid warnings that Britain is a facing a “potential crime crisis” linked to the soaring cost of living.
Electricity thefts, shoplifting, insurance fraud and rural crime are reportedly on the increase as the cost of food and energy rises.
Fraudsters are “weaponising” the situation with a series of scams, a charity says, and organised crime groups are said to be viewing the crisis as an opportunity to recruit.
In the countryside, insurance company NFU Mutual has warned of an increase in rustling, and says that livestock worth £2.4m were stolen last year, and animals worth another £1.4m were taken in the first eight months of this year.
The stolen sheep were the Romney breed. File pic
Mr Lovejoy said the theft of his Romney sheep, a Kent breed, would have a “knock-on effect” on his business for two to three years.
He suspects the animals were taken to a “dodgy abattoir” or killed and the meat sold by the criminals themselves.
“There is years and years of breeding that goes into these sheep and you care for them all year round,” Mr Lovejoy told Sky News.
“For someone to just take them and steal them, it makes you feel pretty sick.
“I think they would have probably slaughtered them and put them into the food chain somehow.”
Fears livestock thieves can’t be stopped
Mr Lovejoy said he reported the theft to the police but the culprits have not been found.
He is now concerned the criminals will return and try to attempt to steal more.
“How do you secure 700 acres to stop people getting on it to steal sheep? I’m not sure it’s possible,” he said.
“It is a worry that they’re going to take more.
“If food becomes really expensive then there’s always a black market.
“If the cost of living crisis gets worse, there’s a chance we’re going to see more and more livestock thefts.”
One farmer near Plymouth painted the horns of his sheep bright green to make them identifiable and protect against thefts. Pic: NFU Mutual
Rise in violent crime predicted
A criminologist says the UK faces a “potential crime crisis” linked to the cost of living, including an increase in violence on the streets.
Dr Robert Hesketh, from Liverpool John Moores University, told Sky News: “As the cost of living crisis starts to peak, I think there will be an increase (in crime) – I think it’s a no-brainer.
“In areas like mine – marginalised areas, areas of social exclusion – it’s going to shoot up, particularly with young people.
“I heard on one occasion the family of a young person being told: ‘Look, we’ll pay your Sky bills, just let your lad do some deliveries for us’.
“You’ll get people within organised crime groups monopolise on this, because they know people are going to need money.
“Already there’s been an increase in electricity theft – it’s up 13% (in 2021-22 on the previous year).
“In communities like mine, it only takes one to get away with it and there’s [people] saying: ‘Get on to this’.”
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‘I had to be the man of the house’
‘Police are going to have to prioritise’
Dr Hesketh said organised crime groups view the cost of living crisis as “an opportunity to get more manpower, more people involved in street crime and drug dealing, and those in charge keep their hands clean”.
“With the organised crime groups around my area, it’s very territorial,” he added.
“As people get desperate, and organised criminals get more greedy, then they’ll start overtaking other people’s turf…. obviously that becomes violent.
“Violence is part and parcel of organised crime… that’s how they thrive. Without violence, they’re nothing.”
Dr Hesketh said he believed the police “are going to have to prioritise”.
“Resources are short as it is, they’re going to focus mainly on more serious violent acts, I think,” he added.
Victims targeted ‘left, right and centre’
Victim Support said it had seen people targeted by scams around the government’s council tax rebate and an increase in people trying to take out “quick loans” through unregulated services.
Lisa Mills, the charity’s senior fraud manager, told Sky News: “People are in this hot state – they’re anxious about the cost of living – so they are taking more risks than they would normally.
“This scenario now is going to be weaponised by the fraudsters. We saw it with the pandemic.
“When people are feeling anxious and uncertain, their ability to rationalise and think about things is going to be compromised.
“What we have seen is people who are desperately in need of money are taking unnecessary risks by taking out loans online.
“We know people are going to be targeted left, right and centre.”
Ms Mills warned of a rise in “money muling” – when a criminal persuades someone to put “dirty” money into their account before the funds are then moved into another account.
“It’s in effect money laundering – it’s washing dirty money,” she said.
“We have seen instances where younger people are being promised free trainers if they accept money to then forward on.
“Your guard is down in this time of crisis and people will just be at the end of their tether thinking ‘I need a quick fix now’, and this is being offered to me and it sounds great.”
Ms Mills said that some unregulated loans may charge high interest rates or the loan may not even exist.
She said: “As soon as they pay money, a website gets taken down, you’ve lost your money – so the loan didn’t exist in the first place.
“It’s capturing people that way.”
Read more:
Teens making money for families by joining gangs
Police watchdog suggests officers could ignore some shoplifting
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has said forces have considered the impact of the cost of living crisis but denied reports it was preparing for a “tidal wave” of violent crime and public disorder.
An NPCC spokesman said: “Our ongoing priority remains prevention, and we continually work with communities to gather intelligence around crime and disorder.
“As a result, policing is able to regularly intervene early to prevent incidents or their escalation due to this community intelligence to keep the public safe.”
UK
Software issue impacts thousands of Airbus planes – as UK passengers warned of potential disruption
Airline passengers have been warned of potential travel disruption after Airbus identified a “significant number” A320 planes impacted by a software issue.
In a statement, the plane maker said: “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
“Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
File pic: iStock
It is understood the incident that triggered an unexpected repair involved a JetBlue flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, on 30 October, which suffered a sharp loss of altitude which injured several passengers.
An Airbus spokesperson told Sky News the necessary software change would affect up to 6,000 planes.
They added that for most of the affected aircraft, the required software update would take 2-3 hours. However, some aircrafts would need new hardware to be able to adopt the required software and that those aircraft would be affected for longer.
Travel expert, Simon Calder, said the situation was “very concerning” but that he had full faith in the safety procedures of Airbus and airlines. He went on to say that “aviation remains extraordinarily safe.”
However, he warned that customers may not be entitled to cash compensation if affected by delays, as the issue would be considered out of the control of airlines.
EasyJet, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Delta and Wizz Air are all affected by the issue.
Airbus told Sky News that it had proactively asked the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue an air worthiness directive for the affected aircraft.
The issue is affecting A319, A320 and the A321 models. The company said the issue is only affecting A320s that are in service, not aircraft that are due to be delivered.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said it is likely to mean some disruption and cancellation to flights.
Airbus requested that EASA issue an air worthiness directive. Pic: Reuters
Some airlines will be more affected than others, Colombian airline Avianca has announced that it will close ticket sales for 10 days due to the issue.
In a statement, easyJet said: “As we are expecting this to result in some disruption, we will inform customers directly about any changes to our flying programme tomorrow and will do all possible to minimise the impact.”
American Airlines said the Airbus software issue would impact 340 aircraft and it expects some operational delays due to a major software change requirement.
The airline added that it expects the vast majority of the updates to be completed by “today or tomorrow”, and that they are “intently focused” on limiting cancellations.
Wizz Air said some of its flights over the weekend may be affected, while Air India said the issue could lead to delays.
Indigo, an Indian airline which operates over 150 A320s, said it was proactively completing mandated updates on the affected aircraft.
British Airways told Sky News that only three of its aircraft where affected and that the required fixes will be carried out overnight and are not expected to disrupt its operations.
Aer Lingus is in a similar position, with a limited number of aircraft impacted. The Airline doesn’t expect there to be significant operational disruption, but is taking “immediate steps to complete the required software installations”.
In October, the Airbus A320 family broke a major milestone when it overtook Boeing’s 737 to become the most-delivered jetliner in history.
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Famous names affected by prostate cancer have spoken of their disappointment after mass screening for the illness was not recommended for use on the NHS.
The National Screening Committee (NSC), comprised of doctors and economists, told the government that screening is “likely to cause more harm than good”.
Its decision means the NHS is unlikely to offer mass screening for men over the age of 45.
Six-time Olympic gold-medallist Sir Chris Hoy, former Prime Minister David Cameron, Sir Stephen Fry, actor and author Tony Robinson and journalist Dermot Murnaghan, who have all been diagnosed with the disease, spoke out after today’s decision.
David Cameron, Dermot Murnaghan and Sir Chris Hoy were among those who spoke out. Pic: PA/Shutterstock/AP
In a draft recommendation, the committee said the reason it was “not recommending whole population screening using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test was that it was likely to cause more harm than good”.
Instead, it proposes a targeted screening programme every two years for men with specific genetic mutations, known as BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, between the ages of 45 and 61.
But Sir Chris, who confirmed last year that his prostate cancer diagnosis was terminal, with doctors giving him two to four years to live, criticised the move.
The former Team GB cyclist, who confirmed in February 2024 that he was undergoing treatment, said: “I am extremely disappointed and saddened by the recommendation announced by the National Screening Committee today to rule against national screening for men at high risk of prostate cancer.
“More than 12,000 men are dying of prostate cancer every year; it is now the UK’s most common cancer in men, with black men at double the risk, along with men with a family history, like myself.
“While introducing regular checks for men carrying the BRCA genes is a very small step forward, it is not enough. I know, first hand, that by sharing my story following my own diagnosis two years ago, many, many lives have been saved.
“Early screening and diagnosis saves lives. I am determined to continue to use my platform to raise awareness, encourage open discussion, raise vital funds for further research and support, and to campaign for change.”
Sir Chris Hoy. Picture: PA
His views were echoed by Lord Cameron, who this month announced he was treated for prostate cancer last year.
Lord Cameron said in a post on X: “I am disappointed by today’s recommendation on prostate cancer screening from the National Committee.
“Targeted screening is a natural first step – but the recommendation today is far too targeted, not including black men or men with a family history, both high-risk groups.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among British men. We are letting down too many men if we don’t push for a wider screening programme that includes all high-risk groups – and not just the men involved, but their families too, who risk losing a loved one unnecessarily. As I know all too well, prostate cancer can be symptomless early on.
“That’s why screening is so essential – catching the cancers early when they can be more effectively and successfully treated, like in my own case.”
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was treated for prostate cancer last year. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sir Tony, journalist Mr Murnaghan and retired footballer Les Ferdinand also voiced their disappointment after the decision.
Sir Tony, 79, who starred as Baldrick in Blackadder, said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. Getting an early diagnosis for prostate cancer could save your life, but we still have no screening programme for it in the UK.
“I was lucky I found my cancer early, but nearly 10,000 men a year are diagnosed too late for a cure, and that’s just not right.”
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Why prostate cancer screening not being expanded
Broadcaster Mr Murnaghan, 67, added: “With prostate cancer cases higher than they’ve ever been, and the disease dominating the national conversation, I really thought we were heading to an exciting moment here.
“I’m so disappointed that the committee has decided not to recommend screening – it felt about time progress was made for men.”
He added in a statement shared with Sky News: “An acceptable halfway house, would perhaps be to extend screening to black men – and those with a known history of cancer in their family. But clearly a full nationwide screening programme would be best.”
Sir Stephen, who is a Prostate Cancer Research ambassador who revealed in 2018 he had undergone surgery after being diagnosed with the disease, said: “I’m deeply disappointed by today’s news. Men in the UK deserve so much better. Prostate cancer remains the second biggest cancer killer of men in this country, with more than 12,000 dying every year.
“The only way we will make a dent in that appalling statistic is by catching prostate cancer early, before symptoms appear – and the best way to do that is through a screening programme. I hope the country sees sense.”
Retired footballer Les Ferdinand also voiced his concerns over the decision. Pic: Reuters
Mr Ferdinand, whose grandfather died from prostate cancer, added: “I’ve seen members of my family survive prostate cancer, because their cancer was found in time.
“Without a national screening programme, the responsibility to find prostate cancer early and in time for a cure rests entirely on men’s shoulders, and it shouldn’t be this way.
“Black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer and twice as likely to die, and something has to be done.”
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Prostate cancer decision ‘a massive mistake’
Colin McFarlane, an actor who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, told Sky News presenter Jonathan Samuels the decision was a “massive mistake”.
“I’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but I’m not having any treatment. I have something called active surveillance, so every three months I have a PSA blood test, and then once a year I have an MRI,” he said.
McFarlane said black men over the age of 45 are at high risk, and “should be invited for screening”. He added: “I personally think men over 50 should be invited for screening, because they’re also at risk. I’m concerned now for all the black men out there who are high risk.”
NSC added it did not recommend extensive screening for black men due to a current lack of evidence and data.
The committee also does not recommend targeted screening for men with a family history of the disease, who are also at a higher risk of prostate cancer.
The National Screening Committee is comprised of doctors and economists. File pic: iStock
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would consider the findings ahead of March’s final decision, adding that he wanted to see earlier diagnosis and quicker treatment, but that needed to be balanced against “the harms that wider screening could cause to men”.
Professor Sir Mike Richards, a former national cancer director and chairman of the NSC, told a briefing that modelling on PSA shows “whole population screening may lead to a small reduction in prostate cancer deaths, but the very high levels of overdiagnoses” means the harms outweigh the benefits.
Experts are also waiting to see data from a large trial launched by Prostate Cancer UK last week into whether combining PSA with other tests, such as rapid MRI scans, may lead to recommending population-wide screening.
Read more from Sky News:
Why prostate cancer is expected to be left without national screening
Scotland to roll out ‘simple’ genetic test
The trial is looking at the most promising screening techniques available, including PSA blood tests, genetic tests and 10-minute MRI scans, and whether they can be combined for a national screening programme.
The results will be ready within two years, it is hoped.
Mr Streeting added: “In the meantime, we will keep making progress on cutting cancer waiting times and investing in research into prostate cancer detection – in the last 12 months, 193,000 more patients received a diagnosis for suspected cancer on time.
“We are also providing funding to the £42m TRANSFORM trial, which has the potential to revolutionise prostate cancer screening, cutting out harmful side effects and making screening far more accurate.”
A delivery driver who killed a seven-year-old girl in a head-on crash during a dangerous overtake manoeuvre in Lincolnshire has been jailed for six years.
Veselin Dudenski, 39, was out delivering parcels when his white Citroen Relay van struck a blue Kia Rio carrying Elsie Gascoigne in the back seat.
The incident happened in Metheringham Heath Lane, Nocton, on the evening of 3 January this year.
Elsie died the next day in hospital.
Her father, who was driving the car and had taken her shopping and to McDonald’s before the crash, suffered fractures to his breast bone, lower back and arm, including a “major injury with significant long-term implications”.
The defendant, a professional van and lorry driver for 17 years, was banned from driving for eight years during Friday’s sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court.
Veselin Dudenski. Pic: Lincolnshire Police/PA
Dudenski, who the court heard has a young child, is likely to face automatic deportation as he is a foreign national.
He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to Elsie’s father.
Prosecutor Claire Holmes told the court: “[The defendant] made a dangerous overtake of an unknown vehicle. At the time he overtook this vehicle, he was approaching a hidden dip in the road.
“There were warnings of the dip, namely a road sign and road markings. A careful and competent driver should have been fully aware of the hidden dip.”
Read more from Sky News:
Robber who killed pensioner for cottage pie jailed for murder
National prostate cancer screening not recommended on NHS
She said a warning sign about a hidden dip stood 425m from the crash site and noted if the defendant had waited to overtake, he would have seen the oncoming Kia.
The hearing was attended by members of Elsie’s family.
In a statement read to the court, Elsie’s parents said she was “bright, loving, funny and full of life”.
“Losing Elsie is not just the loss of a child, it’s the loss of our entire future,” they said.
“We have lost her laughter, her dreams and everything she would have become.”
Defending Dudenski, Charles Myatt told the court the defendant believed the road was clear as he started the overtake.
Mr Myatt said the defendant was usually a “decent, law-abiding driver” who made a “catastrophic error of judgement”.
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