Three women from Animal Rising accused of stealing lambs from King’s Sandringham Estate in West Newton bailed as investigations continue

Three women have been released on bail after they were arrested on suspicion of stealing three lambs from the King’s Sandringham Estate.

The women, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested in Slough and taken to Maidenhead police station for questioning after the incident took place on a field in West Newton on Wednesday.

It comes after a trio from the group Animal Rising filmed themselves taking the lambs from Appleton Farm.

They drove off with the animals which they claimed were destined for slaughter.

The women said they had "rescued" the sheep to allow them to "live their lives to the fullest".

They then handed themselves in to local police, who arrested them on suspicion of theft.

In a post on social media, Animal Rising said the three women acted on "bravery and compassion" for the animals, which they took at around 8pm on Wednesday.

Images released by the group shows the three, in pink Animal Rising t-shirts, walking through a field of sheep and loading the lambs into the back of a vehicle.

The group said on its website that the incident "marks the first" of its "high-profile 'open rescues' this summer".

Sarah Foy, 23, one of the women involved, said: "Like anyone, animals want to live out their lives safely and without being used or exploited.

"Sadly that is not the case here at Sandringham, or anywhere they are used in our food system.

"That is exactly why we rescued three sheep today – three beautiful lambs who will now live their lives to the fullest.

"We urgently need a national conversation about our relationship with other animals and nature."

Officers said the lambs are still missing.

The Sandringham estate declined to comment.

The three women are due to answer police bail on July 6 at Lynn Police Investigation Centre.

Anyone who has information that could help the investigation is asked to contact PC Christopher Holmes at Norfolk Police on 101 or via email at Christopher.holmes2@norfolk.police.uk quoting crime reference 36/37355/23.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.