A FAMILY is 'devastated' after three cats were allegedly stolen in less than two months.

Betty, Poppy and Boo Boo all went missing from the front garden of the Heath family's home in Minster Lovell between October 21 and December 9.

The family originally bemoaned their terrible luck, but now believe all three were taken after another Minster Lovell resident reported that someone had tried to steal their cat.

Mum Lisa, 41, said her six-year-old daughter Evy had been particularly affected by the ordeal.

She said: "We're all absolutely devastated.

"Evy is definitely feeling the impact of not having them around.

"We can't replace three cats that we miss massively.

"My cats are quite literally everything to me and it's just so quiet without them."

Ms Heath lives with Evy and her husband Sean, while son Samuel lives away from home.

Betty and Boo Boo are just seven months old and Poppy is eleven months old.

Boo Boo is dark grey, while Betty and Poppy are grey with distinctive black and white stripes.

Another seven month old cat, Teddy Bear, remains, and the family also owns two dogs, Willow and Harley, who Ms Heath said were noticeably sadder since the animals went missing.

It has been a difficult time for all the family but especially Evy, with Boo Boo going missing just three days before her sixth birthday earlier this month.

All three cats were last seen between 10am and 3pm on the day they went missing and this pattern aroused the family's suspicions.

They are certain all three cats were taken ever since reading a post on the 'Spotted Witney' Facebook page on December 15.

The post read: "Someone tried to grab my cat last night from our garden fence.

"I have been advised to put on here as other cats have been missing and not found, perhaps they are being stolen.

"I live in Minster Lovell, the person must have been quite tall as I saw the top of their head over a six ft fence."

Several people commented on the post with experiences of cats being stolen from Witney and Burford, although there is no indication the incidents are linked.

Since then, Ms Heath has spoken to neighbours and reported the alleged thefts to the police, but admitted she did not know where else to turn.

She said: "When the first one disappeared we thought she might have been run over, but now three have gone we think they're being taken.

"I'm too scared to get another in case the same thing happens."