Tortoise alarm fails to stop thieves

An import ban means tortoises are increasingly valuable

A family have been left shell-shocked after thieves made off with their 50-year-old tortoise and the alarm installed to protect her.

Elizabeth Price, of Swansea in west Wales, said Katie the tortoise - who has been with her family for around 25 years - used to hibernate in the loft of their home until a recent move to the garden shed.

"About four weeks ago we put her in there and she seemed to love it" said Mrs Price.

"We spent £40 on a burglar alarm, but whoever did this snatched that as well as Katie.

'Cruel'

"She is about 10 inches across and has some damage on the top of her shell from an accident."

She said Katie was quite friendly and would go to anyone who called her name.

"There were things like garden equipment in the shed which could have been taken, but my dog started barking at about 2.30am in the morning and wouldn't settle.

"I went outside and I think we must have disturbed them. I just hope that Katie does not come to any harm because people can be cruel."

An import ban has seen the value of tortoises rise in recent years.