Stuffed sheep stolen from Clayton-le-Moors shop (From Blackburn Citizen)

Stuffed sheep stolen from Clayton-le-Moors shop

10:00am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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BURGLARS stole a life -sized stuffed sheep from a shop window display.

Ram-raiders smashed a 6ft by 4ft window of floorcovering specialists Boarder Flooring Co Ltd before taking the animal, which had been stuffed by a taxidermist, from the Whalley Road, Clayton-Le-Moors store.

A member of the public called the police around 4.45am on Saturday after hearing a window being smashed.

Police said they had reports that two men were then seen carrying the life sized woolly beast, which its owners say is worth around £5,000.

They were walking towards the Hare and Hounds pub at the Whalley Road and Burnley Road junction when stopped by police.

The pair then sheepishly handed over the animal.

Inspector Mick Johnson said: “This type of offence is highly unusual. ‘Ram’ raids are extremely rare in Hyndburn.

“I am glad the swift action of the officers enabled them to round up the stolen property, the sheep, very quickly and arrest, and later charge, those responsible.

"On a serious note this clearly shows we pursue all avenues of enquiries.

“We are committed to arresting and prosecuting anyone who commits burglary offences and have launched Operation Julius to tackle burglaries in domestic properties.”

l Two men, both aged 38, have been charged with burglary. They will be appearing before Hyndburn Magistrates’ Court today.

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