POLICE are investigating the second alleged theft of livestock from the Helensburgh and Lomond area in just two months.

Officers were contacted on Monday, February 17 by a farmer from the Shandon area after a check of his livestock allegedly revealed 23 sheep were missing from his land.

The animals have been reported stolen and an enquiry into their disappearance is said to be at an early stage.

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The sheep are believed to have gone missing between November 18 last year and February 16 this year.

The check was carried out after the Advertiser reported on a similar incident, this time involving 12 lambs and a ewe, which were reportedly stolen from a farm off the A82, between Arden and Luss, between January 21 and 26.

On that occasion the lambs were Scottish blackface lambs with orange tails, and would have been tagged and marked around the ears.

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Police are encouraging farmers and locals to be vigilant and report any thefts if and when they occur.

Anyone with information about either theft should dial 101 and ask to be connected to Helensburgh police office; information can also be given in confidence by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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