This crime is of concern because not only has a person’s property been stolen, but as a beekeeper myself, I am also concerned for the welfare of the stolen bees,” said Police Sergeant Steve Applewhite, the Newquay Sector Neighbourhood Team Leader.

“We’ve been told that some bees returned to the site where the hives were before they were stolen, which means that these hives were likely relocated or stored only a few miles away from Tresillian’s house.”

It would also require a large vehicle to transport a cargo of this size, and it would be extremely difficult to handle and transport alone.” Tresillian House is adjacent to the A3058, which runs past Dairyland; this is a busy road, so passing motorists may have seen suspicious people or the vehicle carrying the hives.

“We are appealing for witnesses and asking anyone who was in the area late Saturday and into Sunday to report anything of note,” Sgt Applewhite added. We’re also asking the general public to check CCTV and drivers to check dashcams for anything noteworthy.

Finally, we’d like to hear from anyone in Devon or Cornwall who has been offered a beehive, or any apiaries who have been offered additional hives since the date of the offence.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk and reference CR/053074/22.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers, an independent charity, can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.