POLICE have launched a squirrel hunt after an officer was attacked by a furry felon.

PC Graeme Whitfield was working on the crime desk at Consett police station, County Durham, when the squirrel burst in and bit him.

Someone had left the door of the station open and the grey squirrel saw its chance, ran up the outside of the officer's trouser leg and sunk its teeth into his hand.

Now police have launched an inquiry and have issued "Wanted" posters in an effort to catch the squirrel.

PC Whitfield, 31, said: "I was working when I heard a commotion in the corridor. I looked out and saw a couple of officers who said a squirrel had run into the building.

"Before I knew it the squirrel had run at me, up my trouser leg and we had a scuffle.

"It bit my hand, drawing blood, and climbed up the blinds before making off again.

"It was pretty painful but luckily I had a tetanus jab only a couple of weeks before, so I didn't need another one.

"The word went around the station like wildfire and the lads in the Intelligence Unit soon made Wanted posters with a picture of a squirrel on it. No arrests have been made but we are on the look-out."

It is believed the animal was foraging for food when it entered the building.

Officers at the station are asking colleagues to be vigilant and to pass on any information to divisional wildlife liaison officer, Acting Inspector Eddie Bell.

He said: "It is unusual for a squirrel to attack someone and I think PC Whitfield has been extremely unlucky."