by Nisha Chopra

Kent's cost-cutting police force have been shelling out on forensics - to find 14 stolen tortoises, it emerged today.

Forensic experts were sent in to hunt for clues after the exotic pets - worth around £2,000 in total - were nicked from a breeder in Sevenoaks.

It comes after Kent Police revealed financial restraints mean its crime-fighting budget must be slashed by £53million in four years.

The force is expected to shed 1,500 jobs as it faces up to the government-ordered spending squeeze.

And owner Lisa McIntrye, 42 – whose pets went missing on Saturday - was left surprised, but pleased, at the level of response.

She said: "They sent an officer out, they were quite quick and then they sent a forensic team who dusted for fingerprints.

"I was surprised that they were taking it that seriously."

Kent Police said the response was proportional.

In a statement, the force said today: "This is a theft of high value items, with these tortoises worth more than £2,000.

"The owners also have a lot of affection for their missing pets."

Seven adult and three young tortoises were taken. Four other reptiles were picked up from her heated greenhouse and fenced pen in the garden.

Mum-of-two Lisa said: "I've had some of them longer than I've had my children and one of them is 17."

" they may not survive." – john hayward

John Hayward, of the National Theft Register for Exotic Pets, said: "I was surprised a forensic expert was sent, but it isn't the monetary value but the fact they're rare and exotic.

"Some of these tortoises are on the most endangered species list. Anybody offering them for sale without a license is committing quite an offence."

He added: "Some of these tortoises are on the most endangered species list.

"Anybody offering them for sale without a license is committing quite an offence.

"Whoever's stolen them has trespassed and they won't know the dietary requirements for the tortoises. They may not survive."

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