Eleven tortoises worth a total of £3,500 have been stolen from a Hampshire home.

The creatures were taken from the back garden of a property in Mortimer Close, Calmore, after the owner popped to the shops.

A police spokesman said: “The creatures were in a pen in the back garden at the time. It's believed the thieves got in through a gate.”

The male and female tortoises, one of which was microchipped, were aged between six and 40 years old.

The thieves took six varieties - Dwarf Hermann, Horsefield, Leopard, Spur Thigh and Red Foot.

They struck between 3pm and 6pm on December 20 but retails have only just been released.

Anyone with information about the crime, or who thinks they may have been offered one of the animals for sale, should call Acting Sgt Dean Miller at Hythe Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.