Two thefts have thrown a cat among the pigeons… or rather the canaries… in Faversham this week.

It seems the people of our town have a fixation for feathers, after the second canary theft in less than a week – and reportedly not by the same culprit.

In last week’s Faversham News, we exclusively revealed David and Margaret Tompkin’s devastation after 14 of their cherished canaries were snatched from an aviary in their garden in Bramblehill Road.

Six red and eight yellow canaries were taken during a night-time raid on Thursday, February 26, but the brazen bird burglar strangely left a number of cockatiels and budgies behind.

Less than a week later, another canary crook has struck.

Between 2pm and 2.30pm on March 4, five canaries were stolen from a garden in Springhead Road, just around the corner from Bramblehill Road.

But police say that there is no connection between the thefts.

Police spokesman Andy Saunders said: “A man arrested in connection with the theft of birds from a property in Faversham is to appear in court.

“Between 2pm and 2.30pm on March 4, five canaries were reported stolen from a garden in Springhead Road.

“Vincent Willett, 42, of Springhead Road, was arrested later that day and charged with theft.”

Willet has been bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on March 17.

Nobody has been arrested for the first canary theft in Bramblehill Road, but four of the yellow birds have been recovered and returned to the Tompkins, with inquiries ongoing.

Mrs Tompkins said at the time: “It’s terrible. Their song we love so much has disappeared.

“I want to send out a warning to other bird owners that these thieves are still out there and people need to be wary, but I really hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”