THE theft of an antique piece of embroidery from Castle Drogo last Wednesday has sparked a security alert in National Trust properties throughout the country.
The framed silk embroidery of a shepherd was one of a pair which hang in the drawing room at the castle — the remaining piece is of a shepherdess.
Peter Jennings, manager at Castle Drogo, said: 'It's a shame — it's totally unusual really, I think it's the first time in four years that something has disappeared.
'We know it went between 3pm and 4.30pm on that day. The room was manned and we think somebody had been several times before — they knew exactly what they were after.
'It may be that they are targeting other places too, so we have put out a security bulletin right across the Trust nationally.'
But Mr Jennings said taking just one of the pieces was a 'complete waste of time' as it was part of a pair.
The embroidered shepherd and the remaining shepherdess date back to the 1780s — Mr Jennings could not give a value to the stolen piece.
The missing picture is in a gilt frame with a black and gold mount, and measures just over eight inches high by seven inches wide.
'It's not particularly colourful because it has faded over the years, but when it was first done it would have been very colourful,' said Mr Jennings.
Crime reduction officer PC Chris Vercoe of West Devon Police district warned members of the public to be on their guard when offered antiques for sale.
'Be aware that you might be buying stolen property,' he said.
Anyone with any information about the missing picture should contact Okehampton Police on 0990 777444.