A hen was stolen from a garden in a bizarre theft in Maldon.

The bird, a three-year-old Copper Maran, valued at £15, was taken from a chicken pen in St Mary’s Lane between 2pm on May 25 and 9.30am the following day.

A lock to the pen was broken by the thieve, who left behind another hen.

Anyone with information is urged to call PC Bennett at Maldon police station on 101.