POLICE are appealing for information after tropical fish were stolen from a garden pond.

Koi carp worth around £1,500 were removed from a pond in the back garden of a house in Newton Aycliffe at around 10.50pm on Friday.

Officers were called to the Wolsey Close and Washington Crescent area where it was reported a man had been seen placing a number of fish into the rear of a blue car.

He drove away when he was challenged by residents and is thought to have headed towards the Woodham area.

The fish require specialist care and will have become physically distressed by being removed from their pond in such a manner.

Anyone with information about the suspect, vehicle or who has been offered carp for sale is urged to contact PC Andrew Garside on 0345-60-60-365.