'We nicknamed him Po-Po': Police pick up penguin spotted 'plodding' up village street

Officers said the penguin was questioned and safely returned home
PA
Imogen Braddick16 August 2020

Police officers in Nottingham were faced with an unusual task after spotting a penguin "plodding" up a village street in the early hours.

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police were out on a proactive patrol in Strelley, near Nottingham, last weekend when they spotted the "friendly" bird marching down the street.

In a post on Broxtowe North Police’s Facebook page, the force said the Humboldt bird, which had escaped from a farm enclosure, was "questioned" and safely returned home.

Pc Gareth Philip, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We see some very interesting things while out on patrol, but a penguin walking up the middle of the road has to be one of the more bizarre findings we have come across.

"We nicknamed him Po-Po.

"He posed for some pictures with us and he was very friendly with our officers while we made contact with his owner.

"He was then safely returned home."

Neighbourhood Inspector Gordon Fenwick, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Our officers are trained to deal with a variety of incidents with complex demands and it is great that we quickly reunited the penguin with their owner."