Exotic birds stolen as Brampton Park aviary targeted

THIEVES broke in to a park's aviary and made off with exotic birds.

Three birds were stolen from an enclosure in Newcastle's Brampton Park at some point between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Yesterday staff from Newcastle Borough Council, the authority which runs the facility, were carrying out emergency repairs to the aviary to protect the remaining birds.

Visitors to the park have been left stunned by the theft of two parrots and a cockatiel.

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Ken Roper, of Clayton, who runs Cheeky Monkeys Cafe, which overlooks the park, said: "We have been here for 11 years and it is the first time we have known anything like this.

"I usually have a check around the park before I leave and I didn't notice anything wrong.

"There is no real problem with anti-social behaviour in the park now, things have really improved."

Children at Giggles and Wiggles Day Nursery, which is located on the Brampton, visit the birds regularly.

Lauren Pienkiewicz, aged 21, of Cross Heath, who works as a nursery practitioner at the centre, said: "We like to take the children up to the aviary about once a week and they really enjoy it.

"They all like seeing a parrot called Coco who speaks.

"I am really surprised that somebody has stolen some of the birds."

Pre-school pupil Alexa Lesley-Reed, aged four, of Newcastle, said: "I really liked going to see the parrot who spoke. I liked his bright colours, he was really nice."

John Pye, chairman of the Residents at Gower Street, Granville Avenue and Sidmouth Avenue Association, and a former member of the now disbanded Friends of Brampton Park, said: "The park is very popular and there are always a lot of people visiting it.

"It's awful to think there's a need to fit security around something like an aviary.

"The park is far enough out of town not to attract people hanging around it at night, but in that respect it is perhaps quite exposed."

Steve Middlehurst, the council's community manager, said police are investigating.

He said: "Three birds have been stolen, two parrots and one cockatiel, and the police have been notified of the theft."

Police are now appealing for witnesses after CCTV failed to throw up any clues.

A force spokesman said: "Local police officers are aware of the incident.

"We are appealing for anyone with information or is offered such birds for sale in suspicious circumstances."

Anyone with information should call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 147 of April 24, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.