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Police are hunting two twisted crooks who captured a SEAGULL in broad daylight and made off with the distressed bird.

The men snared the gull using fishing gear baited with bread before catching it and shoving the squawking creature into a black bag.

The culprits struck at the Phoenix Retail Park, in Paisley, on Sunday evening as they were parked in a white Astra van, believed to have a 55 registration plate.

The incident which took place in the car park between McDonald’s and the Showcase Cinema at around 6.40pm.

Witnesses spotted the suspects sitting in the van using fishing gear to target a flock of gulls, which was milling around in the car park near to the fast food restaurant.

The driver appeared to open his window and cast the snare over to the birds.

When one of the gulls snatched the bread, he quickly yanked on the line, hooking the bird, which was unable to escape.

He then got out of the van and grabbed the gull, which was squawking, struggling and in a stare of distress.

He placed the bird in a black bag and went to the back of the van, where his accomplice was sitting in the passenger seat, and placed the creature inside.

The suspects promptly drove away from the car park with the captured bird.

Police in Paisley have confirmed they are investigating the incident and are appealing for help in tracing the men.

The first suspect is described as aged between 20 and 27, around 5ft 11in, of medium build with light brown hair.

His accomplice is aged between 30 and 35, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build and with short dark or black hair.

Officers are carrying out inquiries in the community, scrutinising CCTV images, as well as attempting to trace the owner of the vehicle.

A spokesman at Paisley Police Office said: “We are appealing for information following an incident which took place in Paisley on Sunday, July 12, at around 6.40pm in the vicinity of Phoenix Retail Park.”

Scottish SPCA Deputy Chief Superintendent Tom Gatherer said, “This is a very troubling incident which could constitute an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“We are very concerned for the welfare of this bird.

“If anyone has any information we would urge them to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson for the RSPB Scotland said: “This report of a wild gull being captured is alarming.

“Wild birds, including gulls, are protected by law and it is illegal to kill, injure or take a wild bird.

“Apart from anything else, this will cause the gull a great deal of distress.”

All species of gull are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, recklessly injure or kill any gull or damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.