New data has shown the number of cats reported to Suffolk police as stolen in the last year.

A Freedom of Information request to Suffolk Constabulary showed that eight cats, including two kittens, were reported to officers as having been stolen in 2019.

The two kittens were listed as being of the Donskey Sphynx or Russian hairless breed, which can sometimes be expensive.

Few details were given on the other types of cats alleged to have been stolen.

The number of cats stolen in Suffolk has dropped since 2016, when 27 cats where alleged to have been stolen in just one year.

In comparison, nine cats and three kittens were stolen during 2019 over the border in Norfolk.

In three of the eight cases in 2019, a named suspect was identified but no action was taken in the other cases. Either no suspect was identified or no outcome was recorded for the alleged crimes.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “All incidents of theft reported to Suffolk police are investigated the same way as other thefts, based on the evidence available.

“A crime is more likely to be solved if any of the following solvability factors are immediately available and can link a suspect to the offence; a named suspect, identification evidence, forensic evidence or intelligence, identifiable property and intelligence linked to a series.

“If there is a lack of evidence from the above solvability factors, solving a crime can be difficult. The investigation will not have the evidence required for a disposal, such as a caution or charging decision.”

What should you do if you believe your cat has been stolen or lost?

Direct Line has come up with a number of key tips for retrieving a lost or stolen cat:

• Check your local area thoroughly, as cats can get stuck up trees, locked in sheds and garages.

• Report the loss to your local authority animal warden.

• Spread the word on social media and put posters up as quickly as possible. You should take regular photos of your cat, so the posters will be as current as possible.

• Make sure your cat is microchipped and has a tag with your phone number on and any other important information, for example if it has an illness or has been neutered - as these are things which will deter thieves.

• Keep your details up to date on the microchip database so if your cat is stolen and later found, a vet or animal warden can get in touch with you.

• Hand out your contact details and photos of your cat to those in the local area, postmen, local dog walkers, neighbours and any other groups likely to be out and about locally on a regular basis.