Ad Hawk approach to Wimbledon security

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Expect a deluge of pigeons to bombard SW19 during the second week of Wimbledon... for Rufus - the hawk which patrols the skies above Centre Court, warding off flying pest - has been stolen.

Rufus, a four year old Harris Hawk, was taken from a parked car near All England Club at the end of last week, along with his cage and other equipment.

Police in London have issued an appeal for information about the theft of the famous bird - who has been a fixture at Wimbledon for the last couple of years.

The family which look after the bird are said to be distressed by his theft.

Hawking was brought in at Wimbledon in 1999 as a more environmentally-friendly way of controlling pests around the competition courts.

The Harris Hawks fly around the courts before and after play each morning and evening - although not during matches.  In case Hawkeye gets territorial, presumably.

Pigeons are not the Harris Hawk's natural pray but, frankly, if a large bird of prey is circling about you, you'd probably not stop to ask what interspecies relationships are like these days and would instead clear off to bomb Nelson's Column instead.

Rufus' owner Imogen Davis said they were still in shock over his disappearance.

"It's really, really sad," she said. "He was taken in his travelling box, which is where he sleeps because it's nice and dark and cool and he can fall asleep in there.

"We're very, very shocked, we just want to know he's okay."

Meanwhile, with no bouncer on the door, it's party time for the pigeons down in south west London...