Police are hunting thieves who are targeting homes and stealing budgies to order.

Several distinct rare birds have been stolen from homes in three Cornish towns.

Police put out a warning on social media, urging members of the public to be on the look out for a series of ring-necked parakeets.

They were stolen on two occasions.

On the second, three other ring-necked birds of varying colours and genders were also taken, and it is believed they were stolen to add to the same collection.

All the birds were stolen between April 20 and May 29 this year, from Camborne, Pool and Redruth, all in Cornwall.

A picture of similar birds was shared by officers from Devon and Cornwall Police.

The post included the message: "Please share this post in the hope that someone will do the right thing and let us reunite these birds with their rightful owner.