Five active beehives stolen from manor house near Newquay
Police say a large vehicle would have been used and the cargo would have been difficult to handle alone
Police have launched an investigation after five active beehives were stolen from a manor house on the outskirts of Newquay.
They were taken from Tresillian House over the weekend, between 6pm on Saturday 11th June and 6am on Sunday 12th June.
Officers say a large vehicle would have been used to carry the heavy cargo and it would have been difficult for someone to handle and carry the hives alone.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious along the A3058, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage, is being asked to contact police.
Police Sergeant Steve Applewhite, the Newquay Sector Neighbourhood Team Leader said: “This crime is of concern as not only has it meant that a person’s property has been stolen, but as a beekeeper myself, I am also concerned for the welfare of the stolen bees.
“We have been told that some bees have returned to the site where the hives were, before being stolen, this means that it is likely that these hives have been initially relocated or stored only a few miles away from Tresillian house.
“It would also take quite a large vehicle to carry a cargo of this considerable weight and it would be incredibly difficult to handle and carry alone. Tresillian House runs adjacent to the A3058 which runs past Dairyland; this is a well-used road so it is very likely that passing drivers may have seen suspicious people or the vehicle carrying the hives.”
Sgt Applewhite added: “We are appealing for witnesses and asking for anyone who was in the area late Saturday and into Sunday to report anything of note. We are also asking for our public to check CCTV and road users to check dashcams in case they have captured anything of note.
“Lastly, we would like to hear from anyone within Devon and Cornwall who may have been offered a hive with bees, or any apiaries who have been offered additional hives since the date of the offence.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting CR/053074/22.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.