The couple entered Paradise Pets in Swindon last week and allegedly stole four canary birds.

Owner Neil Eatwell has published CCTV footage of the thefts in a bid to safely recover the birds, which he says are worth around £175.

“People aren’t normally this brazen with livestock,” he told the Swindon Advertiser.

“I was a little bit shocked because you really don’t expect someone to be putting their hands in cages and stealing like they did.”

Mr Eatwell added: “It has happened in other places, but it’s not particularly common.

“I would like to warn other retailers that there are thieves operating in the area and they could be stealing anything.”