Man arrested for interfering with vehicles at livestock mart

Police have arrested and charged a man for interfering with vehicles at a livestock mart in the UK.

It is understood that this is the second attempted theft at Cutcombe Market (Exmoor Farmers’ Livestock Auctions LTD) this week.

Avon and Somerset Police have urged the public to keep their “eyes open and report suspicion”.

Man arrested

In a post on social media, a spokesperson for AS Police Rural Affairs Unit said: “Male arrested for interfering with motor vehicles at Cutcombe Market and charged to court.”

“Great work by local farmers and police. Lock vehicles, take valuables with you. 2nd vehicle attack this week at a market, eyes open and report suspicion,” the spokesperson concluded.

Marts re-opening to public

In other livestock mart-related news, premises will re-open to members of the public in Ireland from May 17^th, 2021.

Last week, Minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed that buyers will return to mart rings, whilst adhering to public guidelines from the above date.

The DAFM has written to livestock marts managers ahead of the easing of some restrictions from the aforementioned date.

In the letter, seen by That’s Farming, the DAFM confirmed that “sellers may remain on the premises and use the seller’s box, provided social distancing is maintained”.

The DAFM stated:

• Marts must control the entrance to the mart premises and prevent the congregation of members of the public in the mart car park or at entryways into mart buildings;
• Buyers must be separated (by greater than 2 metres) in the sales ring at all times.
• Mart should regulate any visits to its premises by appointment;
• Mart managers and staff should refuse visitors access to the mart site arriving without appointments;
• The mart should record details of all dates and times of attendees using an attendance record along with contact details;
• Staff should advise visitors of two-metre physical distancing guidelines. They should only move about the mart premises as directed by the signage provided and/or by mart personnel;
• Also, all visitors must wear a face covering while on the mart premises;
• Lastly, buyers may attend the sales ring and view stock in pens. However, buyers must do this by prior appointment with the livestock mart.

Livestock marts in Northern Ireland

Meanwhile, sellers returned to ringsides in livestock marts across Northern Ireland on Monday, May 3^rd, 2021, as we reported.

A spokesperson for the Livestock Market Stakeholder Group said: “Auctioneers and mart staff will continue to monitor and make regular announcements to provide advice to those in attendance. For everyone’s safety, it is essential that this advice is followed.”