Bees were stolen from a garden hive in what police describe as an “unusual” crime.

A total of six wooden slats belonging to one of two beehives at an address in Bulwer Road, Leytonstone, were reported missing on Sunday. 

The two hives kept in the rear garden of the Leytonstone home had not been checked since after Christmas, so the wooden slats could have been taken anytime between December 28 and January 25.

The bees live on the slats, where they produce honey and would have been attached at the time of the theft. 

PC Matthew Brett, said: "While this is an unusual theft, it is still a crime and will be investigated accordingly.

"I would appeal to anyone who frequents Bulwer Road or the surrounding areas and may have seen a person, or people, moving a number of wooden slats.

"It may not have been immediately obvious that these slats contained a number of bees."

There has been reports of so-called bee rustlers stealing hives nationally due to declining bee numbers  and honey they produce.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waltham Forest police via 101.