'Mystery' kitten rescued from police car's engine

The kitten had crawled underneath a car bonnet and took hours to be tempted out

Police say a young kitten rescued from one of their marked cars is a "bit of a mystery".

Officers tempted the tiny tomcat from the inside of a car at Sawston police station, Cambridgeshire, with tuna and cat treats.

The tortoiseshell and white boy is now being treated at a veterinary practice in Whittlesford, where he is said to be safe and well.

Chris Wiseman, a police community support officer, said: "Where he's come from we have no idea."

The kitten was safely trapped in a cage overnight, with treats used as bait

PCSO Wiseman was alerted to the kitten by a colleague on Thursday afternoon.

"By the time I got there the kitten had crawled into the engine, so I thought 'This is going to be difficult'," he said.

They left a humane animal trap overnight and filled it with cat treats and tuna.

"Lo and behold he actually fell for it," PCSO Wiseman said.

The unnamed youngster is now being looked after by vets

Officers have been making inquiries locally to find the kitten's owner, but the force's best detectives have yet to crack the case.

A few names have been suggested for the kitten, including Bingo and Herbert.

Sam Tasker, a student veterinary nurse at Village Vet Whittlesford, said: "He's a very friendly, lively chap and has made friends with the whole team here.

"We've had a lot of inquiries from members of the public who are interested in adopting him, and I'm sure he will find a home very soon."

PCSO Wiseman said it was not the first time he had been involved in animal rescues.

"I once had to chase an ostrich up the A505. That was a bit hairy – the kitten was a bit easier," he said.

"Sometimes we get horses and sheep on the road, but not anything like this."