Children 'chase sheep off cliff' before turning on shocked passers-by

Police are investigating reports of a sheep being chased over a cliff edge.

Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a probe after the incident in Newquay, Cornwall on July 27.

In a statement, police said it was reported one of the individuals made aggressive comments towards another member of the public when they were confronted about the cruel behaviour. It comes after 'UK's most dangerous plant' left a toddler in A&E with second-degree burns.

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The police statement said: "We have been notified of a report of a sheep being chased over a cliff edge in the Polly Joke area near Newquay on Sunday 27 July.

"It was reported one of the individuals responsible was then aggressive to a member of the public when challenged."

It follows a social media post that suggested a father watched his two young sons chase a ewe over a cliff, reportsCornwall Live.

His post said: "When a couple of passers-by objected, he threatened to throw them over the cliff too. Nice chap." The individual who posted the claim also mentioned seeing the man later outside Trevornick Holiday Park, although the park has stated they do not believe the family were staying with them.

In response, the park commented: "We're very sorry to hear about the sheep and we have personally spoken to the farmer, he is someone we know well. We don't think these people are staying at Trevornick because they're not wearing wrist bands but our management team are investigating just to double check.

"There's a bus stop meters from where this photo is taken so we think they probably caught the bus from here."

In March this year, residents of Lancashire were calling for action after being terrorised by large gangs of sheep chomping through flowers in their gardens and blocking roads.

People described how the sheep gathered in flocks of up to 20 before roaming onto property. They were spotted in residential areas between Whitworth and Rochdale, and furious locals say they have been getting in the way of traffic as well as grazing on plants in gardens.

Coun Shah Wazir, who represents the Healey ward where the sheep caused trouble, believes it is a health and safety concern. And the cabinet member for highways says the problem needs to be resolved before a serious accident happens on the roads.

Residents have been saying that the flocks of sheep have been causing disruption for nearly a year and claim it is a serious risk which puts both humans as well as the animals at danger. Councillor Wazir said: "It’s causing a huge problem for the residents in the area. It has been going on for many, many months now - since early 2024. The sheep are causing a potential hazard for motorists. It’s a danger to the lives of the sheep and humans.”