THE majority of recorded thefts of animals to Devon and Cornwall Police resulted in no suspect being identified, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has shown.

The data, calculated between January 1, 2014 and November 14, 2022, showed 1089 thefts across Devon and Cornwall.

And in 674 of the 1089 recorded cases, no suspect was identified, despite the crime being investigated as far as ‘reasonably possible’, the FOI shows.

In other words, more than 60 percent of cases saw no suspect identified.

Only 9 of the 1089 were charged, the FOI, which was published on December 17, 2024, shows.

Dogs were the most common victims, with 398 stolen between the above-mentioned period.

An estimated 2,290 dogs were reported stolen across the UK in 2023, according to research by Direct Line.

Birds, cats, cattle and sheep were among the highest thereafter.

Newton Abbot ranked seventh for most thefts at 28, with Exeter at the top with 50.

Data for other towns in Teignbridge was as follows: Ashburton & Buckfastleigh (8), Bovey Tracey (9), Dawlish (6) and Teignmouth (5).

The response said that no information is held prior to January 1, 2014 and that the force transitioned to a new crime management system on November 14, 2022.

As a result, numerous reports are no longer available, Devon and Cornwall Police said.