In an extraordinary display of animal vigilance, a herd of llamas in Derbyshire has become the unlikely heroes of a local crime story, successfully apprehending a thief in what owners are calling a remarkable 'citizen's arrest'. The incident unfolded on a farm off Carnfield Hill in South Normanton, where the llamas' protective instincts led to the capture of a suspect fleeing from police.
Unexpected Farmyard Interception
The drama began on the evening of Monday, February 2, when a man in his 30s allegedly stole several packets of tobacco from a woman on Mansfield Road in South Normanton. According to Derbyshire Police, the suspect was seen heading towards woodland near Carnfield Hill, but his escape plan took an unexpected turn when he jumped over a fence into a neighbouring farm.
Heidi Price and Graham Oliver, the farm's owners, were alerted to the intruder not by security systems or alarms, but by the distinctive cries of their eight llamas. 'This was after dusk and an offender who just escaped police jumped over the fence into our farm,' Heidi explained. 'He had a torch with him, and he was running across the field.'
Llamas Spring into Protective Action
The llamas, known for their protective nature and often used as guard animals for livestock, immediately responded to the intrusion. 'Llamas don't like people entering their personal space after dusk,' Heidi noted. 'Our llamas galloped over to him and surrounded him. They literally made a circle around him, and then started releasing their warning cry, which sounds like an old man laughing.'
This unusual alert system brought Heidi's partner, Graham, running from the house with their dog. He discovered the would-be thief completely encircled by the vigilant animals in the middle of the field. 'He didn't know what to do next and looked absolutely terrified,' Heidi recalled of the suspect's predicament.
From Llama Circle to Police Custody
With the dog adding to the suspect's discomfort by becoming 'really vocal around the man's feet,' Graham was able to lead the thoroughly intimidated individual back across the field to where he had entered. Police officers, who had been searching the area, were waiting to make the arrest once the man was escorted back over the fence.
Heidi expressed particular pride in her llamas' conduct during the incident. 'When all this was happening, they didn't spit onto anyone so they kept good manners, even when faced with adversity,' she remarked, highlighting their controlled yet effective intervention.
Rescued Animals Become Unlikely Crimefighters
The heroic llamas have an interesting backstory themselves. Heidi rescued them a decade ago from a farm that was closing down, where they faced euthanasia if not rehomed. 'When we rescued them, they weren't used to being touched by people at all,' she remembered. Since then, Heidi has become a member of the British Llama Society and worked extensively with the animals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure they could be properly handled.
Derbyshire Police confirmed that a man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft and has since been released on police bail pending further investigation. A police spokesperson detailed: 'We were called to reports of a woman having a number of packets of tobacco stolen from her in Mansfield Road, South Normanton, at around 6pm on 2 February. The suspect was seen to head off towards the woodland off Carnfield Hill. Officers attended the area and were approached by a member of the public who explained that someone was in their field.'
This incident serves as a remarkable example of how animals, often underestimated in their capabilities, can play unexpected roles in community safety. The llamas' natural protective instincts, combined with their owners' attentive care, transformed what might have been a successful escape into a memorable citizen's arrest that has captured local imagination.
