POLICE are warning farmers to be vigilant after a lamb was butchered in a field in Tarporley.

Yesterday, Monday, the Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team took to social media urging people to keep on eye on their stock following the incident.

Warning: Image below which some readers may find distressing.

They said the lamb was subjected to the butchery by someone with 'efficient knife skills' who 'knew their way around an animal'.

PC Jim Clark said: "Today I have been out to the area of Tarporley to speak to the owners of some livestock.

"Whilst they are not full time farmers they are however very experienced and knowledgeable at keeping good, healthy livestock.

"One of their lambs has been subjected to butchery of what appears to be by someone quite skilled.

"This has occurred in a field a very short distance from their property and whoever has undertaken this clearly knows their way around an animal with some pretty efficient knife skills.

"Please keep an eye on your stock the best you can and we would urge that any suspicious activities in or around livestock and of course rural communities are phoned into Cheshire Police.

Northwich Guardian: Image from Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team Image from Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team

"The more we know the greater the intelligence picture we can build."

If you have any information regarding this incident, report it through the constabulary web page using IML 1115304.