Thieves strike at bee farm

Thieves have stolen 18 beehives, worth at least £5,000, belonging to a Staffordshire honey company.

Richard Lindsey, of the Great Little Honey Company, has 600 hives at locations in the region.

He and his wife harvest the honey which they process at their home at Rowley Hill Farm, Stretton, near Penkridge.

Richard discovered the hives missing from a strawberry farm at Bolas Heath, just north of Telford, a week ago when he went down to check on them.

Mr Lindsey said it was the latest in a nationwide spate of thefts due to the rapid decline in bee colonies, which have been decimated by killer bugs.

"It is the first time I have had any of my hives and bees stolen, but they are now very valuable.

"The value of both bees and honey has rocketed," he said.

Mr Lindsey said that he would have been harvesting the first honey from the stolen hives in May and he would have to find a replacement site which is more secure.

The Great Little Honey Company's products are sold at post offices and farm shops across the Midlands.

Mr Lindsey also rears and sells his own bees from Rowley Hill Farm.

He gained as master beekeeper's certificate in 1995 at the age of 27.