Pet centre targeted

PET thieves have hit Enfield four times in a week, taking animals and birds worth thousands of pounds.

The first raid, at Enfield Bird Centre in Culver Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Enfield, saw £1,800 of tropical birds taken, including a macaw, an African grey parrot, a Senegal parrot and two bird cages. The thieves also took the contents of a charity box.

The burglary happened last Monday night. The raiders got in through a window and left with their haul by kicking a door down.

The same store was broken into again on Thursday when the burglars came through the roof but nothing was taken on that occasion because the on-site security guards were quickly on the scene.

Kim Stevens, who works at the bird centre, said that the final cost of last week's incidents would actually be more than £2,000, including the cost of repairs to the roof and doors.

The store was last burgled in September, when one bird was killed and another stolen. Following the incident, high-tech security was installed.

Ms Stevens said: "The burglars disarmed the alarm it before breaking in. They seemed to know what they were doing."

She added: "It was very upsetting, especially as the macaw was our own bird.

"We really would like the macaw back she has lived here for 12 years and is like one of the family. She is a very distinctive big red bird."

Kingswood Nursery in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, was also burgled twice last week, on Thursday night and Sunday night.

Pond pumps and a range of puppies were stolen, worth a total of more than £4,000. The nursery declined to comment on the break-ins.

If you witnessed or have any information on the burglaries, contact the crimedesk at Edmonton police station on 8345 4479.An African grey parrot was one of the birds stolen last week.

09:52 Thursday 8th August 2002

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