Runaway rodent collared by police

A hamster was taken into custody after walking into Cheltenham police station.

The brown and white rodent which handed itself into Police Community Support Officer Kevin Rees is not thought to have committed any crime, police said.

The pet was taken in by officers before being driven to a local animal shelter on Tuesday evening. Its owners now have seven days to bail the rodent out.

Police believe the hamster lives in the Churchdown area. If it is not claimed within seven days it will be re-homed.

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman said the owners are asked to contact police or the Cheltenham animal centre.