A FATHER battling cancer is distraught after two sentimental tortoises belonging to his late daughter were stolen.

The two Hermann’s tortoises are the only link Pepe and Rosemary German have left to Charmaine, who died aged 30 from blood poisoning in 2002.

Pepe has been undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer and the loss of Fred and Speedy has devastated him and his wife.

Retired restaurant owner Pepe said: “I really miss them. They’re like two friends. They’re very important to me. I find them relaxing to watch.”

News Shopper: Pepe and Rosemary German

The couple, who also have two sons, are offering a reward to anyone with any information which leads to the reptiles’ return.

The tortoises are valued at £2,000.

Rosemary, a grandmother-of-seven, said: “We’ve had them for so long. It’s the only link we have with our daughter.

“They are everything to us. Our daughter was an animal lover, she loved them. I feel like my heart has been ripped out.

“It’s upsetting my husband, who’s very poorly. He’d sit looking out of the window at them, it was something for him to do and now that’s been taken away.

“It’s knocked him back.”

News Shopper: Fred and Speedy were stolen on the night of September 6 and 7

The tortoises, thought to be at least 40 years old, were stolen on the night of September 6 and 7 from the couple’s back garden in Chalk Pit Avenue, St Paul’s Cray.

Rosemary said: “You can’t see into our garden, they can’t get out.

“Someone would have to know we had them. They would have had to go to great lengths to get in.”

A Bromley police spokesman said: “Tortoises are of considerable sentimental value to the owners and we are concerned that people who steal them do not know how to properly look after them.

“We would urge pet shop owners and reptile enthusiasts to be on the lookout for stolen tortoises and to contact us if they are offered tortoises for sale.”

Anyone with any information should call Bromley police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

News Shopper: Pepe and Rosemary's daughter Charmaine

TORTOISE THEFT TIMELINE

April 24: One tortoise stolen from Pickhurst Rise, West Wickham

April 28: Three tortoises taken from Ruxley Manor Garden Centre on the Sidcup border

May 19: One tortoise pinched from Arthur Road, Biggin Hill

June 15: One tortoise taken from Kings Road, Biggin Hill

September 6/7: Two tortoises stolen from Chalk Pit Avenue, St Paul's Cray

TORTOISE THEFTS ON THE RISE

Since April Bromley police has investigated eight tortoise thefts – already more than the seven incidents reported for the previous 12 months.

Across the country, tortoise theft is on the rise due to their price value increasing as a result of legislation which banned bringing the reptiles into the country.

John Hayward, who runs the National Theft Register for stolen animals, estimates he has received reports of 25 cases involving 70 tortoises – more than double the previous year.

He said: “In the south of England over the last 12 months there’s been a tremendous upsurge in tortoise thefts, especially in the Kent area, mainly because of the weather conditions.

“They need warmth and long days of sunshine. Unfortunately an awful lot are stolen.

“Over the years a number of various species of tortoise have been placed on the most endangered species list.

“Because of that supply drying up, those bred in captivity or in private collections are targeted by thieves.”