61 beehives stolen in midnight sting

THIEVES have escaped with 61 beehives from a remote part of the Loire.

Beekeeper Bernard Nicollet reported the theft of the hives - said to be worth up to €60,000 - from his land in Cergne earlier this month. It is believed the theft took place between March 12 and 14.

Mr Nicollet and his wife Christine own between 350 and 400 hives spread across a number of apiaries. He has estimated that they have lost about 25,000 bees as a result of the thefts.

He said that the thieves deliberately targeted hives that were well away from roads in a remote region.

Mme Nicollet said she believed the thieves were experts as they only stole hives with bees in them.

Local police agree with the couple’s theory. “It would have taken substantial equipment to transport the hives,” commander Brice Minard said.

Photo: OliBac