A PROWLING thief snatched a herd of 39 piglets from a field under the cover of darkness.

The thief rounded up the group of three-and-a-half week-old piglets from the field sometime overnight between last Wednesday and last Thursday.

The piglets lived in the rearing unit opposite the Sports and Arts Centre in Oxford Road, near Thame, but were herded up from a field in Thame Road, Long Crendon.

The piglets have been valued at around £1,000.

PC Stuart Griffin of Thames Valley Police said: "The night in question was very foggy.

"Although visibility would not have been great, somebody local may have seen something unusual either on the road or in the field.

"If anybody does have any information, they could help us in recovering the piglets and reuniting them with their rightful owner."

The RSPCA warned potential victims of this sort of crime.

A spokesman said: "We urge stock owners and keepers to be vigilant as this is one aspect of countryside crime."

Anyone with information should call Aylesbury Crime Desk on (01296) 396276 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.