Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that 11 sheep have been stolen from his Oxfordshire farm, the star of Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm told The Sun.
Thames Valley Police confirmed they are investigating the theft, which reportedly took place over the past ten days at the Diddly Squat farm in Chadlington. No arrests have been made as inquiries continue.
“It Pisses Me Off”
The former Top Gear presenter discovered the Easycare sheep were missing while conducting a count of his flock alongside co-star Kaleb Cooper.
When asked about the theft, Clarkson was blunt. “It’s a farm. We’re armed. Just so they know,” he said. “It pisses me off. Honestly, it just pisses me off.”
The animals were valued at more than £2,000 at market rates. Clarkson expressed concern that additional sheep in other fields may also have been taken.
Could Fame Be to Blame?
Clarkson suggested the theft likely occurred during periods when cameras weren’t rolling. The Prime Video series typically films with a crew present constantly, complete with aerial drone coverage.
“Is it more likely to make you a target than less?” Clarkson acknowledged. “But I still don’t think they’ve been stolen because they’re on Diddly Squat.”
He noted the sheer scale of the operation makes prevention challenging. “How can you stop it if someone’s determined to steal your livestock? This is 1,000 acres, it’s a big farm. Anyone could be anywhere and you wouldn’t know.”
Police have praised the force’s handling of the incident.
A Difficult Year Continues
The theft marks another challenge in what has been a demanding period for the 64-year-old presenter. Earlier this year, Clarkson revealed during an episode of Clarkson’s Farm that he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer, detected through routine screening. However, in a subsequent interview with The Sunday Times, he said a PSA test in April showed no indication of cancer and that he is now in remission.
On Wednesday, Clarkson appeared at the premiere of the latest series of The Grand Tour on Prime Video, where three new presenters—Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Englesman—will take over from Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference 43260457181, or to provide anonymous tips through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Why it Matters
Rural crime remains a persistent blight on British farming communities, with livestock theft—often called “sheep rustling”—costing the agricultural sector millions of pounds annually. For Clarkson specifically, the incident highlights the uncomfortable reality that celebrity and public profile can transform a private family farm into a conspicuous target. The theft also underscores broader questions about farm security in an era when rural policing resources are stretched thin, and when reality television can inadvertently broadcast the rhythms and vulnerabilities of agricultural operations to millions of viewers worldwide.
