Police appeal over 'cat burglar'

Jelly has become "part of the police family" at John Street station.

Police in Sussex have appealed for help on a puzzling case tucked away in a box in the corner of their station.

A black and white tom cat has roamed the John Street police station car park in Brighton for about two years.

Jelly, as he has been named by staff, now comes into the police station and spends his days sleeping in a box in the prosecution case workers's office.

However, officers have not been able to work out where he comes from. They hope to find him a home if he is a stray.

A police spokesman said Jelly, a friendly and apparently well-fed cat, had become "part of the police family".

"For the last couple of years, he's has often been seen in the police car park chasing mice or just patrolling the local streets," he said.

"More recently, he has started coming into the police station like a true cat burglar for a few titbits of food and a cosy bed."

He added: "It is not known if he is missing from somewhere, is a stray or just that he likes the company during the day."