Chickens "stolen to order" from Smalley pensioner

POLICE believe chickens belonging to a Derbyshire pensioner have been "stolen to order."

Officers say the birds were stolen between 4pm on Friday and 8.30am on Saturday when thieves broke into sheds on land at Smalley, near to the Rose and Crown pub.

PC Dave Chambers, who is leading the investigation, said the exact number is not known but the value of the missing birds amounts to several hundreds of pounds.

He said the thieves broke locks, and damaged doors and fencing in the raid which has left the landowner, and pensioner "devastated."

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PC Chamber said: "Apart from the birds that were stolen the damage allowed others to roam free to become prey for foxes and many others were lost to the wild and may never be recovered.

"Only the most expensive birds were targeted and cheaper specimens ignored which leads Police to believe that the birds were stolen to order by someone who knew exactly what they were looking for.

"Apart from the financial loss, which is considerable, this incident has deprived a local pensioner of a hobby which he really loved; and having lost his most valuable birds he can ill afford to continue his hobby. I would love to catch those responsible."

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact PC Chambers on 101.