'They've been in our family since we were kids' - Woman's heartfelt plea to help find pair of pet tortoises stolen from Edinburgh home

The owner believes she has caught the culprit on CCTV.

A woman has been left devastated after her two pet tortoises were stolen from outside her home while she was sleeping.

Catherine Steven, who lives next to the golf course in Craigentinny, said the reptiles have been in her family since she was a young girl and are “very old.”

The pair were snatched from their home in the early hours of May 25 at about 5.30am.

The pair of tortoises that were stolen from their home in Craigentinny, Edinburgh, on the morning of May 25

The concerned owner has since issued a heartfelt plea asking the public to help find her elderly pets and get them home safely.

She said: “They have been in our family since we were kids.

“If anyone has any information please please get in touch because we just want them home safe.

“These animals are so old and by now they will be stressed and dehydrated and it’s unlikely they will survive much longer away from home.

“The more time that goes by the less chance we have of finding them.”

Ms Steven has reported the missing tortoises to the police, but she fears it could be days before they help because it’s not a “pressing matter.”

She said CCTV footage of the area shows a tall “gangly” man with short dark hair wearing a washed out red top approaching the rear of her property.

He appeared at about 5.35am and she believes he is the culprit.

“I am puzzled as to how it was known they were there as it’s not obvious,” Ms Steven added.

“The fence is high and not easy to see over.

“They were taken from the glass house they go into at night time which is closed and secure.

“A fence panel was also removed from the fence at the back of our property which is where someone clearly gained access to our secure garden.”

The pets are chipped and Ms Steven said any legitimate buyer looking for details of previous owner and paperwork will be able to tell they are hers.

She has asked the public to keep an eye out for anyone trying to sell a pair of tortoises in the near future.

She added: “Please contact us if you know anything we just want them returned no questions asked.”

In a personal post to the thief she said: “Just leave them where you stole them from if that’s easier.”

Community Facebook group Find Jeff Scotland has shared Ms Steven’s appeal and asked anyone with information that may help track the tortoises to get in touch via its social media page.

A police spokesman said: “I've checked the information and can confirm that police received a call around 8.35am on Monday, 25 May, regarding the theft of two tortoises from a garden in Craigentinny Avenue, Edinburgh.”