East Ilsley beekeeper stung by hives theft

EIGHT beehives worth a combined total of more than £3,000 have been stolen from a property in East Ilsley.Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after the theft which occurred in a private wooded area near the village between April 3 and 7.

Each beehive and its bees is worth £400.

Police constable Kirsten Goodfield, of Newbury police station, said: “The hives were on an edge of a field on a private estate not visible or accessible by any member of the public. If anyone saw a vehicle with the beehives on the back please contact police.

“I would like to remind members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity on the non-emergency telephone number, 101.”

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact PC Goodfield via the 24-hour non-emergency single number 101, or anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and the caller will not go to court.