POLICE are urging residents to secure their gardens after a number of rabbits have been reported missing.

The pet rabbits have disappeared from their hutches and one was found dead by its owner with an apparent broken neck.

The first incident took place in Elgar Avenue between 2am on February 20 and 8am the next day.

The owner of the large, black, three-year-old rabbit found it missing from its hutch in the back garden.

The second incident took place between 12.30am and 1.30pm on Monday, March 2, in Elgar Avenue.

A black rabbit with a white paw and white patch under his chin and a velvety coat was taken from its hutch.

A grey Lion Head rabbit was found dead in its hutch in the third incident. This took place overnight between Sunday, March 1 and the next morning at an address in Moat Way.

The rabbit was a pet of Rebecca Mathieson’s two-year-old daughter Phoenix and was given to her by a member of the public after her last rabbit was stolen in October last year.

Mrs Mathieson said: “It is so awful and we don’t know how to tell my daughter. I can’t believe something like this has happened for a second time.

“I would ask anyone with any information on who is doing this to please contact police.”

Community Support Officer for Pickersleigh Local Policing Team, Stephen Freeman, said: “We would like people who have rabbits as pets to be aware of these incidents and take extra care to secure hutches.

“It is also important for everyone to secure their gardens, locking gates at all times.

“Such incidents are very distressing for the pet owners and we would like to hear from anyone with any information or who saw or sees anything suspicious in the area.”

Information can be given by calling Pickersleigh Local Policing Team on 0300 333 3000 or through Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 333 3000.