A REWARD has been offered for the conviction of the prowling thief who snatched a herd of 39 piglets from a field.

The farmer who owns the pigs has offered to give £1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the pig pincher.

The thief collected up the group of three-and-a-half week-old piglets from the field overnight between Wednesday January 31, and last Thursday.

The piglets which lived in the pig rearing unit opposite the Sports and Arts Centre on Oxford Road, near Thame, were rounded up from a field in Thame Road, Long Crendon. They are valued at around £1,000.

PC Stuart Griffin said: "The night was very foggy so although visibility would not have been great somebody local may have seen something unusual either on the road or in the field. If anybody has any information they could help us in recovering the piglets and reuniting them with their rightful owner."

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

Witnesses to the incident should call Aylesbury Crime Desk on (01296) 396276 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111