Northern Ireland

Co Down burglar steals tortoise and medals

The owner `is understandably upset and concerned that the tortoise'
The owner `is understandably upset and concerned that the tortoise' The owner `is understandably upset and concerned that the tortoise'

A masked man armed with a knife has stolen a pet tortoise and medals "of sentimental value" from a house in Strangford, Co Down.

The householder in Elliots Place was awakened at around midnight on Thursday to find the intruder in his property.

He confronted the man, who made off on foot with a number of items including the medals and the Horsfield's tortoise.

A PSNI spokeswoman said some other stolen items "were recovered a short distance away" but the owner "is understandably upset and concerned that the tortoise, which requires specialist knowledge and care, may come to harm".

Anyone in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious or who comes across the tortoise or medals was asked to contact police on 101 or submit a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.