THE NEWS (Portsmouth, UK) 22 July 08 Thieves snatch tortoises in night-time raid in Portsmouth
Fourteen tortoises were stolen by thieves in a single night.
The creatures – including eight babies – were taken from the garden of primary school teacher Pauline Bromly in Orkney Road, Cosham, Portsmouth.
Mrs Bromly, 56, who has been left heartbroken by the theft, fears the pets were taken to order by crooks who plan to sell them and that without proper care they could die.
She said: 'I think they must have been stolen to order. They are worth a lot of money.'
The babies – five Hermann tortoises and three Spur-thigh tortoises – were taken from their sleep boxes.
The adults were lifted out of their beds, among them Billy, a male tortoise Mrs Bromly has had for about 25 years.
Mrs Bromly is a teacher at Hamble Primary School and would often take the tortoises to school to show the children. They too will be devastated by the theft, she said.
She discovered the animals missing about 6.45am on Monday.
Hampshire Tortoise Society founder Julie Hinks said: 'It is very rare for tortoises to be stolen. When it happens it is probably for financial gain.'
Anyone with information should contact Portsmouth police on 0845 045 4545.
Thieves snatch tortoises in night-time raid in Portsmouth