A swarm of bees is without a home after their hive was stolen from a farm in Radlett.

Thieves took the beehive from the orchard of a farm in Watling Street between 4.30pm on January 3 and 10.20am on January 6.

The hive, which is described as being a white WBC model, is made of cedar and has a pitched roof.

It had no bees or honey inside and did not contain the internal S frames that would be needed to house them.

PC Philip Tuck, who is investigating the theft, said: “This is a very unusual item to have been stolen and it is very distinctive. I am appealing to anyone who may know of its whereabouts, or has been offered it for sale, to contact me immediately.

“If anyone has any other information relating to this theft, for example if they saw an unusual vehicle or person in the area over the weekend, then I urge them to contact me.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Tuck via Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, citing crime reference number J1/14/44.