Cafe owner’s theft anguish

Romeo the cockatoo and George the green Amazon parrot were swiped by intruders at the Copper Kettle Café in Trinity Street last week.

Now owner David Holmes is offering a £250 reward for any information that leads to the police securing a conviction.

“We’re very sad to have lost our birds, it’s dreadfully quiet without them and out customers are missing them too,” said David, who runs the café with partner Anne.

Thieves broke in through a door at the back of the shop some time between Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November.

They took the two treasured pets, four computers, a laptop, a quantity of cash and frozen food.

“They knew what they were looking for and they must have had a vehicle,” said David.

50kg of venison meat was taken in the haul as well as beef and chicken, but they left the sausages.

David said the café’s complete operating system was stolen, forcing them to fork out for new equipment before opening again.

“The customers are really upset. The birds were an attraction for the children and parents and grandparents would bring them in especially,” said David.

“George in particular is quite a character and he won’t be friendly to strangers. I hope he’s giving them a hard time.”

David said he hopes if the birds have been sold on for less than the £250 reward, his appeal might prick someone’s conscience.

“We are desperate to get them back and we want anyone with any information to get in touch with the police as soon as possible.”

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to get in touch as soon as possible, along with anyone who sees, or who is offered the birds for sale.

If you have any information you can call Lincolnshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

l During the early hours of Wednesday 9th November a number of animal hutches were stolen during a burglary at a pet supplies shop in Church Street, Gainsborough.

In a separate incident on the same night, thieves stole 10 guinea pigs from a shed at a property in High Street, Scotter.