Dog owners are urged to be on high alert after a man claiming to be taking poorly pooches into coronavirus quarantine attempted to steal a pet.
Cleveland Police has confirmed that a man entered a house in Marton, Middlesbrough, and told the victim their dog needed to be taken away to help fight the spread of Covid-19.
But when questioned by the dog's owner, the man walked away, got into a white van and fled the scene. The would-be pet-napper is described as tanned with an unknown accent and black hair.
He was wearing a grey padded coat and dark trousers. "We are warning members of the public to be vigilant," a force spokeswoman said.