Man arrested over £28,000 sheep theft insurance scam

A 24-year-old man has been arrested by City of London Police on suspicion of fraud. The arrest is connected to insurance claims for more than 650 sheep allegedly stolen in Devon. Officers found the animals alive and well during the investigation.

The City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) stated that the case involves payouts totalling more than £28,000 from three insurance claims made within a year for the alleged theft of sheep. The investigation is examining whether the thefts, reportedly from fields rented by the man in Devon, actually occurred and if the insurance claims were fraudulent.

A total of £28,220 was paid out for two claims. A third claim, valued at £64,800, was halted following intervention by detectives and the insurance industry. The arrested man was taken into custody on suspicion of fraud by false representation and making or supplying articles for use in fraud.

Investigation details

Searches were conducted at two residential addresses, a garage, and two vehicles in South Molton on October 13 as part of the inquiry. Documentation linked to the case, a mobile phone, and two shotguns, reportedly in breach of licensing conditions, were seized. The investigation was initiated after an insurer raised concerns with the Rural Crime Agency, which subsequently referred the case to City of London Police.

During the operation, veterinary professionals assisted officers in checking the welfare of the sheep and comparing livestock numbers against records held by the Rural Payments Agency. The sheep were confirmed to be alive and in good health. The arrested man has been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Detective Constable Carley Parodi of IFED commented on the impact of rural insurance fraud. "Rural insurance fraud may be less common, but it can have a significant impact on insurers and genuine customers," she said. "Fraudulent claims distort the true picture of risk and can contribute to higher premiums for honest policyholders. We will continue to investigate these offences and take action against those who seek to profit through fraud."

Tim Passmore, chair of the National Rural Crime Network, stated that livestock insurance fraud increases costs for genuine policyholders and hinders efforts to combat rural crime.