Thieves who stole electric fencing equipment from a field have been slammed by farming union officials.
Nottinghamshire Police are investigating after an energiser and batteries providing the supply to electric fencing were stolen from fields at Elston, near Newark.
A power regulator and battery from the fence, worth around £300, were taken between Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23.
A spokeswoman for the National Famers Union (NFU), said: "It's a stupid thing to do - we use electric fencing for all sorts of things but mainly to control where livestock graze. It's spring and fresh grass is very bad for cattle's digestion so what the farmer does is partition the paddocks with electric fencing.
Read more: Masked men threatened women and children with screwdriver and stole gold rings
"It keeps the cattle in an area so they can't eat all the grass.
"It's daft that someone has stolen the equipment. We would urged people to check around their buildings and fields as often as possible and report any suspicious activity to the police."
The fencing usually has a 12-volt supply, which would give a "nasty bang" if contact is made.
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to call Nottinghamshire Rural Police on 101.
