Heartbroken beekeeper hits out at 'mindless' vandals who destroyed hives, killing 100,000 bees

A beekeeper has hit out at ‘mindless’ vandals who destroyed his hives, killing more than 100,000 bees.

Steve Cattanach said the perpetrators climbed over a 9ft fence to get to the handcrafted wooden hives before destroying them.

The passionate beekeeper said police are now carrying out an investigation into the vandalism at his hives at Carr-Ellison Park in Hebburn.

He told the Chronicle: “It’s incredibly frustrating. It’s just mindless, heartbreaking really.

“Beekeeping is like any hobby – it’s my passion. But for people to just carry out such a disgraceful act with no thought whatsoever as to the consequences or harm it may cause, it’s hard to take.”

Mr Cattanach, who visits schools across South Tyneside to talk to youngsters about bees, said he got into beekeeping after hearing about the potential health benefits of honey.

It became a hobby and he said he has now been visiting schools for six or seven years.

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“I think there probably is a lack of appreciation for the importance of beekeeping,” he added.

“Hopefully, someone who saw the hives being vandalised will see this and come forward – and help bring whoever destroyed them to justice.”