Rabbit breeders be warned: someone is stealing bunnies in the dead of night and police are warning breeders to tighten security.

Rabbit breeds including Netherland Dwarf, Mini Lops and a Mini Rex, have been stolen from backyards in the Auckland suburbs of Mt Albert, Blockhouse Bay and Massey over the past three weeks.

Lily, stolen Netherland dwarf rabbit.

The rabbits are worth between $40 to $50 each, and offenders are stealing them from their hutches during the early hours of the morning, says constable Logan Delamere.

One rabbit breeder, who doesn't want to be named, had 10 rabbits including babies and mothers stolen on four separate occasions from her property. There's been 15 rabbits stolen in the last three weeks.

She has set up CCTV cameras, padlocked her hutches and took other prevention measures to stop the offenders.

'We love our rabbits to bits. We may be breeders but that doesn't mean these rabbits aren't part of our families – my rabbits all have names; they're all loved,” says the breeder. 'We just want them back.”

One mother Mini Rex, who was stolen, left behind a current litter. Five three-week-old babies were also stolen without their mother.

'I'm really worried for them as the babies are so young and don't have a mother now. Whoever has taken them, please, bring them home.”

CCTV footage taken by the breeder shows a person stealing rabbits from her property at about 5am on Saturday September 10.

'We're looking to identify and locate this person but in the meantime, rabbit breeders can take preventative steps to ensure their animals' security,” says Logan.

'Think about padlocking hutches, using CCTV cameras and sensor lights if you can. Note down registrations of any suspicious vehicles near your home – often burglars will scope out a place beforehand.

'We're also asking pet shops to be alert for suspicious behaviour. If they have concerns about someone who is offering rabbits for sale then we'd like to hear from them.”

Anyone with information about the person identified in the CCTV footage or knows about the rabbit thefts, please contact Avondale Police on 09 820 5623 email ldbn11@police.govt.nz

Information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.