A bird of prey, two lizards and an emu were just a few of the unusual animals that were stolen in the South West during an epidemic of pet and livestock thefts.

Police have revealed that more than 60,000 animals were stolen from across the UK last year, including 30,000 bees, 7,291 sheep, 1,534 poultry and 1,135 dogs.

A falcon, an emu, two basilisk lizards and two rainbow boa constrictors were among the pets reported missing by owners in Devon, with other exotic animal thefts including a llama from Powys, two bearded dragons from Kent and Cambridgeshire and a red rump tarantula from Northamptonshire.

Lancashire police even reported the theft of a stuffed Scottish wildcat on a plinth.

A single raid in Edinburgh resulted in the theft of all 30,000 bees, which can fetch up to £500 for a colony on the black market.

Responding to the figures, Mimi Bekhechi from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said:

“Animal theft is an alarming epidemic with terrified animals often being stolen right from their own homes.

“Thieves know designer dogs and exotic animals can sell for princely sums and they’ll flog them to just about anyone.”

The findings follow in the wake of a report on dog thefts earlier this month, which revealed that Devon and Cornwall are among the most likely places for dogs to get stolen.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton and chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, said there was a need to be “more vigilant than ever” with animal thefts.

“It is a case of making sure we know where our livestock is and famers keeping an eye on their animals,” he said.

"The police also need to take these thefts seriously because they cause a huge loss to owners, both financial and personal.”