COPS are investigating a flurry of pigeon rustling - with 38 prized racing birds being stolen in a matter of days.

Heartless thieves raided pigeon lofts in Dumbarton, West Dumbartonshire, and Alexandria, West Dumbartonshire, in a series of overnight break-ins.

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Thieves struck overnight and stole ten Belgian racing pigeons from a loft in Dumbarton, between June 10 to 11.

And three nights later another 20 pigeons were released or stolen from another loft, in the same town.

Days later, another eight pigeons were stolen from nearby Alexandria, overnight on June 15 to 16.

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A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Pigeon racing is a sport which is enjoyed around the world and there is a lot of time spent training and rearing the pigeons as well as the value attached to the pigeons themselves.

"We are appealing for the help of the public to help trace and reunite these racing pigeons with their owners."