Police are hunting a man who snatched a valuable parrot from a pet shop in Staines.

The thief distracted staff at Ashford Aquatics before cutting the locks off the parrot's cage using a pair of pliers.

He then lifted the lid and grabbed the parrot, which began making noise and alerted staff, and ran out of the shop.

The man escaped by jumping over a fence at the back of the Horton Road premises and drove off in a dark coloured 4x4 type vehicle.

The African parrot, which has a grey body with red tail, is valued at around £1,000.

The breed is normally friendly and would not usually resist being taken by a stranger.

Police have released CCTV images in the hope of catching the suspect who was white, around 6ft tall, with very short brown hair, in his early 20s and of medium build.

He wore a long fluorescent jacket, black trainers and dark blue jeans and was carrying a black rucksack. Witnesses say he spoke in broken English.

The incident happened on Tuesday, January 29 at 2pm.

Detective Constable Helen Vaughan said: "This was a very unusual and cowardly theft of a defenceless animal and I would urge anyone with information, no matter how minor they think it is, to contact Surrey Police.

"These animals are difficult to transport and house discreetly so someone must know who has taken the parrot and they need to inform us immediately.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who has been approached to buy a parrot in recent weeks."

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact DC Vaughan at Staines CID on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference A/08/2366 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.