Jeremy Clarkson reveals sheep theft ordeal at Diddly Squat farm as police launch investigation
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that 11 Easycare sheep have vanished from his Diddly Squat farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, in what is believed to have been a late-night raid.
The 66-year-old television presenter made the discovery while going through a headcount of his flock alongside Kaleb Cooper, his co-star on the Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.
Of the 27 Easycare sheep that should have been grazing in a remote field on the property, just 16 remained.
Thames Valley Police confirmed it is investigating the incident. A force spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police is investigating the theft of a number of sheep from a farm in Chadlington.”
Diddly Squat is located near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire | PA
The theft was reported on Wednesday by Mr Cooper and land manager Charlie Ireland, with officers from the force’s Rural Crime Team subsequently attending the property. Police believe the animals were taken at some point over the preceding 10 days.
Mr Clarkson, speaking to The Sun, issued a blunt message to those responsible: “Put them back.”
He added a pointed warning: “It’s a farm. We’re armed. Just so they know. It p****s me off. Honestly, it just p****s me off.”
He estimated the stolen sheep would have fetched upwards of £2,000 at market. If the animals are butchered for their meat, they could be worth as much as £8,000.
Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about the ordeal | AMAZON
Mr Clarkson also expressed concern that livestock from other parts of his Cotswolds estate may have been taken.
Land manager Mr Ireland pointed out that the thieves had not gone after fat lambs but had instead targeted breeding stock, calling it “just frustrating.”
“To have animals stolen, it’s really galling,” Mr Clarkson said.
He believes the rustlers struck either under cover of darkness or on a day when cameras were not rolling for the show’s sixth series, currently in production.
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that 11 Easycare sheep have vanished from his Diddly Squat farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, in what is believed to have been a late-night raid.
The 66-year-old television presenter made the discovery while going through a headcount of his flock alongside Kaleb Cooper, his co-star on the Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.
Of the 27 Easycare sheep that should have been grazing in a remote field on the property, just 16 remained.
Thames Valley Police confirmed it is investigating the incident. A force spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police is investigating the theft of a number of sheep from a farm in Chadlington.”
Diddly Squat is located near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire | PA
The theft was reported on Wednesday by Mr Cooper and land manager Charlie Ireland, with officers from the force’s Rural Crime Team subsequently attending the property. Police believe the animals were taken at some point over the preceding 10 days.
Mr Clarkson, speaking to The Sun, issued a blunt message to those responsible: “Put them back.”
He added a pointed warning: “It’s a farm. We’re armed. Just so they know. It p****s me off. Honestly, it just p****s me off.”
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He estimated the stolen sheep would have fetched upwards of £2,000 at market. If the animals are butchered for their meat, they could be worth as much as £8,000.
Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about the ordeal | AMAZON
Mr Clarkson also expressed concern that livestock from other parts of his Cotswolds estate may have been taken.
Land manager Mr Ireland pointed out that the thieves had not gone after fat lambs but had instead targeted breeding stock, calling it “just frustrating.”
“To have animals stolen, it’s really galling,” Mr Clarkson said.
He believes the rustlers struck either under cover of darkness or on a day when cameras were not rolling for the show’s sixth series, currently in production.
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Charlie Ireland and Jeremy Clarkson | AMAZON
On filming days, he noted, “a film crew here all the time” and “a drone in the air” would ordinarily deter intruders.
While Mr Clarkson conceded his television fame likely increases the risk of being targeted, he suggested the sheep were specifically stolen because of Diddly Squat’s celebrity status.
The farm has faced security concerns before. In March last year, five men were caught on CCTV apparently surveying the site, and in 2023 two individuals shoplifted £80 worth of goods from the farm shop.
His pub, The Farmer’s Dog in Burford, also lost £27,000 to cyber criminals last September.
Thames Valley Police confirmed no arrests have been made and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
