A Chimp In A Top Hat Among 18 Stuffed Animals Worth £100,000 Stolen By Thieves

    "These thieves need to be stopped before they commit further crimes," police said.

    Police are appealing for help after thieves stole £100,000 worth of stuffed animals from a taxidermy warehouse in southwest London.

    Among the 18 stuffed animals stolen earlier this month are...

    At least two lions.

    A giraffe.

    A penguin.

    What looks like a scarlet ibis.

    A monkey.

    And a chimpanzee in a top hat.

    The Metropolitan police said the stuffed animals, and a globe, were stolen between 7:20pm and 7:40pm on Tuesday 1 March.

    The thieves arrived at the warehouse in Wandsworth in a white and grey van, and used angle grinders to force their way in.

    Detective Constable Edward Bird said: "This was not a random crime, the burglars had came prepared and well equipped. This was a criminal enterprise and these thieves need to be stopped before they commit further crimes."

    He added: "The items they stole are of high value and are very distinctive. I am appealing for anyone with information to contact police. In particular I would ask anyone who deals in such animals to be on the lookout and contact police immediately if you are offered any of the stolen items."

    Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 304644/16, or via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.