Gang snatches hawk that protects Heathrow in dramatic smash & grab raid
Officers are hunting the three men who smashed their way into a van where six-year-old Milo was being kept near to the airport on Tuesday afternoon
A HAWK which keeps birds away from Britain’s busiest airport has been stolen.
A gang broke into a van where six-year-old Milo was being kept near Heathrow.
They smashed the passenger’s side window, unlocked the Citroen Berlingo and dragged out the Harris Hawk using a falconry glove.
Owner Layla Bennett, 34, is now offering a £1,000 reward for Milo’s safe return.
The snatch took place at 5.50pm on Tuesday — 30 minutes after Layla checked into the Mercure Hotel next to the airport.
She discovered Milo was missing when she returned to the van to take him inside.
Hotel staff informed her their CCTV filmed three men arriving in a silver Mercedes C Class.
It shows the gang stealing Milo at the second attempt before driving off with him loose in their car.
Layla, from Powys, Wales, said: “I believe they were looking for tools, which I didn’t have, but instead found Milo in the back.
“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, loose.”
RISK OF DEATH
Layla fears that Milo has just a few days to live.
She said he would not take food from strangers.
She added: “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”
Despite Layla’s calls to the police, she said they had not contacted her.
The Mercure Hotel told The Sun it would release the footage to police only if they came to the premises.
Last night the Met Police said the incident was being investigated.
A spokesman said: “No arrests have been made. Inquiries continue.”
Milo was one of two of Layla’s birds being used at Heathrow — where last month a drone sighting halted departures.
Layla said: “Falconry birds can be used to fight drones — although Milo has never done that at Heathrow, it’s not part of his job.
“The closest he has come to working with drones was in Cardiff, where they were used to survey roofs on houses and seagulls kept attacking them. Milo scared away the gulls.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk