Evil cat napper

Police are hunting a cat-napper who has taunted owners with a letter claiming their pets have been "relocated." In the letter the abductor says their pets have been dumped at least 25 miles away as punishment for "invading" his garden.

So far seven cats have vanished from the same road in Southampton, Hants. The author taunted owners saying: "They have not been harmed, just re-located. You have virtually no chance of getting them back.

"If you were lucky enough to get your cat back... the second time they get caught in my garden, they will be destroyed."

Shocked residents, who had launched a plea for the safe return of the missing cats, have branded the author "sick and cruel".

Ellie Catto, 30, who lost both her beloved cats, said: "If somebody has taken and dumped them as far as I'm concerned that's theft and cruelty to animals. "They will be confused and hungry. It makes me really angry. My children are missing their pets and very upset."

Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "It's disgraceful. I'm absolutely appalled." She feared her cat, which was without its kidney tablets, was now dead.