Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth – Chief of police in St Elizabeth, Superintendent Maurice Robinson says he is establishing a police “cattle hotline” for livestock owners in the parish as part of the drive to catch cow thieves.

Robinson said those who believe they may have information relating to cattle theft should call 965-2232, 965-2026, 548-5807 or 990-0670.

“We are saying if you have reason to believe that something suspicious is going on, tell us about it. If you see any suspicious movement especially involving strangers – people and vehicles you don’t know, call the police, you will always be able to reach us on these numbers (above),” he said.

“If you have reason to believe that a theft has taken place, don’t wait around to find out if your animals are still there. By the time you find it out, the thieves will probably be long gone. So, as soon as you have a suspicion, call the police and call your neighbours,” Robinson remarked.

Cattle theft has been on the upturn across Jamaica since import restraints as a result of the Mad Cow scare of a few years ago triggered an over 200 per cent hike in beef prices.

But the thieves, travelling in large covered trucks, have become so bold and so well-organised in recent months that livestock owners in St Elizabeth are now contending that they are being faced with “big business”.

Eighteen cows worth $800,000 were stolen from a single livestock owner in Fullerswood in a late night to early morning operation on August 29.

Robinson told the Observer that he was optimistic that the police were now in a better position to battle cow thieves following a meeting with 22 livestock owners last Thursday at the Ashton Great House in Luana, just outside Black River. Another meeting is being planned soon for cattle owners in the parish’s northern belt.

“I believe the cattle farmers are now much more aware that they need to be their brother’s keeper and they must be in close touch with each other and with the police,” Robinson said as he reflected on last week’s meeting.

Cattle owner Wesley Wiggan of Crawford District, who was among those at the meeting, agreed with Robinson’s assessment. Wiggan who lost 18 “mother cows” to thieves last year argued that while many farmers “used to be complacent”, they now realise that they have to “communicate with each other and with the police”.

Robinson took note of what he said were a number of interesting proposals from livestock owners at the meeting. These included a call for legislation to ban all transportation of cattle or freshly butchered meat between nightfall and daybreak, and the automatic forfeiture of any vehicle caught with stolen cattle.

According to Robinson, a major problem is that there are “immoral and unscrupulous” people buying cattle and meat without bothering to seek proof of origin.

“I want to say to everyone that if they are caught with stolen cattle or stolen meat, they are liable to be treated just like the actual thieves,” he said.