1. Ref: 10595/10 Found on 24.4.2010 at Melksham, Wilts an adult Horsfield.
  2. Ref: 10600/10 Found on 28.4.2010 at Littlehampton , Sussex an adult Hermann’s.
  3. Ref: 10606/10 Found on 28.4.2010 at Southampton an adult Tortoise. Reunited.
  4. Ref: 10625/10 Found on 4.5.2010 at Warboys a Tortoise.
  5. Ref: 10631/10 Lost on 25.4.2010 at High Wycombe a 40 year old Tortoise, Later recovered.
  6. Ref: 10647/10 Found on 11.5.2010 at Watford a Tortoise.
  7. Ref: 10663/10 Lost on 18.5.2010 at Clapham, Beds a Tortoise.
  8. Ref: 10664/10 Found on 21.5.2010 at Ashstead, Surrey a Tortoise.
  9. Ref: 10665/10 Found on 23.5.2010 at Cheltenham a Tortoise. Reunited.
  10. Ref: 10666/10 Stolen on 15.5.2010 from a garden at Rutland a Tortoise.
  11. Ref: 10668/10 Found on 16.5.2010 at Shrewsbury a 5 inch Tortoise. Owner traced
  12. Ref: 10684/10 Found on 25.5.2010 at Alton , Hants a Tortoise.
  13. Ref: 10685/10 Found on 26.5.2010 at Wootton Under Edge, Gloucs a 10 inch Tortoise.
  14. Ref: 10688/10 Found on 23.5.2010 at Rainham , Kent a Tortoise.
  15. Ref: 10698/10 Found on 29.5.2010 at Sandbach, Cheshire a female Hermann’s.
  16. Ref: 10700/10 Stolen on 20.5.2010 at West Malling, Kent two 4 year old Spur-thigheds’.
  17. Ref: 10703/10 Found on 31.5.2010 at Swindon an adult Tortoise.
  18. Ref: 10723/10 Found on 4.6.2010 at Abingdon, Oxon a 50 year old Tortoise. Owner traced.
  19. Ref: 10729/10 Found on 2.6.2010 at Winchester a Tortoise.
  20. Ref: 10730/10 Lost on 2.6.2010 at Wootton Bassett, Wilts a 7 year old male Tortoise.
  21. Ref: 10734/10 Found on 3.6.2010 at Purton, Wilts a Tortoise 4lb in weight.(NB Not that of 10730/10)
  22. Ref: 10735/10 Found on 1.6.2010 at Cambridge , two Tortoises.
  23. Ref: 10736/10 Found on 5.6.2010 at Henley, Oxon a Tortoise.
  24. Ref: 10743/10 Found on 4.6.2010 at Cobham, Surrey a Tortoise. Owner traced.
  25. Ref: 10744/10 Lost on 17.4.2010 at Cambridge a 10 inch 60 year old Tortoise.
  26. Ref: 10745/10 Stolen on 10.6.2010 at Norwich a Tortoise.
  27. Ref: 10750/10 Lost on 9.6.2010 at Petersfield, Hants, a female Hermann’s. Later found.
  28. Ref: 10752/10 Lost on 20.5.2010 at Newquay, Cornwall a 4 inch Hermann’s.
  29. Ref: 10768/10 Lost on 4.6.2010 at Helston, Cornwall a 50 year old Hermann’s.
  30. Ref: 10774/10 Lost on 1.7.2010 at Windsor , Berks a 23 year old Hermann’s.
  31. Ref: 10775/10 Found on 6.6.2010 at Hereford a 6 inch female Hermann’s.
  32. Ref: 10788/10 Lost on 16.6.2010 at Birmingham a 3 year old Spur-thighed.
  33. Ref: 10790/10 Stolen on17.6.2010 at Dartford , Kent 3 adult Spur-thighed’s.
  34. Ref: 10793/10 Found on 16.6.2010 at Thurning, Cambs an 8 inch Tortoise.
  35. Ref: 10814/10 Found on 24.6.2010 at Ramsey, Isle of Mann a 10 inch Tortoise.
  36. Ref: 10819/10 Lost on 26.6.2010 at Orpington , Kent a 50 year old Hermann’s.
  37. Ref: 10820/10 Found on 27.6.2010 at Bromley , Kent a 6 inch Hermann’s. Owner traced.
  38. Ref: 10821/10 Found on 24.6.2010 at St. Austell, Cornwall a Tortoise.
  39. Ref: 10825/10 Found on 23.6.2010 at Oundle, Northants a Tortoise.
  40. Ref: 10826/10 Found on 25.6.2010 at Orpington , Kent a Tortoise. Owner traced.
  41. Ref: 10827/10 Lost on 25.6.2010 at Harrow , Middx a 6 year old Horsfield.
  42. Ref: 10831/10 Lost on 28.6.2010 at Dartford , Kent a mature Horsfield.
  43. Ref: 10847/10 Found on 26.6.2010 at Heywood, Lancs a 10 inch adult Tortoise.
  44. Ref: 10851/10 Lost on 26.6.2010 at Naunton, Gloucs a 5 year old Hermann’s. Found on golf course.
  45. Ref: 10861/10 Found on 1.6.2010 at Southampton an adult Hermann’s.
  46. Ref: 10865/10 Stolen on 30.6.2010 at Diss, Norfolk two adult Spur-thighed’s
  47. Ref: 10869/10 Found on 1.7.2010 at Exmouth, Devon an adult Tortoise. Reunited with owner.
  48. Ref: 10879/10 Found on 1.7.2010 at Pewkridge, Staffs an adult Hermann’s.
  49. Ref: 10880/10 Found on 1.7.2010 at Cambridge a 10 inch Spur-thighed.
  50. Ref: 10888/10 Stolen on 20.6.2010 at Otterton, Devon a 7 year old Hermann’s.
  51. Ref: 10890/10 Found on 22.6.2010 at Royston, Herts a Horsfield Tortoise.
  52. Ref: 10911/10 Lost on 9.7.2010 at Norwich a small Tortoise, found locally.
  53. Ref: 10919/10 Found on 12.7.2010 at Pewsey, Wilts an adult Hermann’s. Owner traced.
  54. Ref: 10926/10 Stolen on 7.7.2010 at Dartford , Kent a Leopard Tortoise.
  55. Ref: 10965/10 Found on 18.7.2010 at Bramhall, Cheshire an adult female Hermann’s.
  56. Ref: 10966/10 Lost on 10.7.2010 at Potters Bar, Herts a male Hermann’s. Found locally.
  57. Ref: 10973/10 Lost on 2.7.2010 at Bury St. Edmunds a 3 year old Horsfield.
  58. Ref: 10980/10 Lost on 1.7.2010 at Rayleigh, Essex a 20 year old Hermann’s.
  59. Ref: 10983/10 Found on 24.7.2010 at Aldridge, Walsall, West Mids a Tortoise.
  60. Ref: 10984/10 Lost on 25.7.2010 at Croydon, Surrey a 2 year old Hermann’s.
  61. Ref: 10987/10 Lost on 25.7.2010 at Longbridge, Birmingham a Leopard Tortoise.
  62. Ref: 10989/10 Found on 1.7.2010 at Croft, Cambs a 7 inch Tortoise
  63. Ref: 10991/10 Stolen on 20.7.2010 at Sheffield a 50 year old Spur-thighed.

Since April we have dealt with eight thefts and fifty five cases of lost and found Tortoises. This has been a particularly busy period especially as far as all the straying Tortoises is concerned. We fully appreciate that our Tortoises need to out in the open air during the warmer months but it must be recognised that they are so vulnerable when left unattended. It is very often impossible to actually determine whether they have dug in, strayed or become the victim of a thief. In every one of the reports received, the common factor has been the garden. Vigilance at all times is the only real answer to this problem especially during daylight hours. Open areas are difficult to protect but we can advise re the installation of infra-red beam systems to warn of intruders entering as trespassers. We also advise re caution when receiving ‘cold callers’ or any strangers visiting the premises. Please remember to regularly photograph your Tortoises, both in situ showing the carapace and the plastron, i.e. the Fingerprint System for any future purposes of identification.

Finally I would like to thank the BBC for allowing us to appear on the Daily Crimewatch Programme when we appealed on behalf of the theft of the three Spur-thighed Tortoises stolen in Kent earlier this year and for the support given by Mrs Alison Beck who kindly attended the studios to display a similar Tortoise during the production of the show.

For all security advice call John Hayward – National Theft Register – Tel: 01869 325699 Email: jh{at}ntr.supanet.com

Top