EXCLUSIVE by: TOM JACKSON POULTRY has become a hot target for thieves, with thousands of pounds worth of chickens and ducks stolen across Fenland in the last month. In one incident seven tame ducks at a smallholding in Doddington were also killed, and in

EXCLUSIVE by: TOM JACKSON

POULTRY has become a hot target for thieves, with thousands of pounds worth of chickens and ducks stolen across Fenland in the last month.

In one incident seven tame ducks at a smallholding in Doddington were also killed, and in a separate case �2,000 worth of chickens were stolen from a pen in Lode Way, Chatteris.

Six free range chickens were also stolen from a bungalow near Chain Bridge, March, and two chickens were stolen from a front garden in Elm Road, March, by two men in a passing car.

A police spokeswoman said: "We appeal for anyone who knows anything about these incidents to get in touch."

The Chain Bridge theft took place at the home of Kerrie Robinson at about 8.30pm last Thursday.

Miss Robinson said: "A couple of days earlier I saw a car driving past slowly, looking towards my house. I will recognise him if I ever see him again.

"We had nine chickens and they all seemed calm when my partner checked them. Ten minutes later I went outside, two chickens came running out the bushes towards me and one was hiding in a dog kennel. The other six had gone."

The two chickens stolen from Elm Road on Sunday belonged to Rob Phipps, owner of The Pet Shop in March.

Mr Phipps said he was shocked by the theft and added: "They (the chickens) were treated like celebrities.

"The neighbours loved them; they all have pictures, videos on their mobile phones and left food out for them."

A neighbour witnessed two men get out a car and steal the chickens. Police carried out an area search afterwards, but to no success.

In Doddington, seven tame ducks were killed and five were stolen from a smallholding in Primrose Hill. It happened between 2am and 7.30am last Wednesday.

PCSO Tina Potter said: "These animals were loved family pets and the way in which they were killed was barbaric."

The chickens stolen from Lode Way, Chatteris were taken on April 17.

• Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.