A Harris hawk used to patrol the skies over Heathrow to scare away other birds has been stolen from its owner's van.

Police are hunting a gang that smashed a window of the parked vehicle outside a hotel near the airport on Tuesday evening and snatched six-year-old Milo from his box on the back seat.

Owner Layla Bennett, 34, had just checked into the Mercure hotel and returned 30 minutes later to get Milo only to find he had been taken.

CCTV footage from the hotel captured the moment the three raiders pulled up in a silver Mercedes C-Class.

Ms Bennett, who is offering a £1,000 reward for his safe return, thinks the men had been looking to steal tools but had found the bird of prey instead.


She told The Sun newspaper: "One of them tried to get him out by using the falconry glove I had in the back, but he wouldn't come with them at first.

"He eventually did when they grabbed him forcefully, he was flapping and very distressed.

"Then they threw him into the car and drove off with him out of his box."

She is concerned for Milo's welfare and fears he may not survive without proper care.

She told the paper: "I've had Milo since he hatched. He was bred to do the job he does. All I want is them to bring Milo back before it's too late.

"I'm offering a reward if they bring him back or to anyone who can tell me where he is."

No arrests have been made and the Metropolitan Police is continuing to investigate.