by Graham Tutthill

A probationary officer with Port of Dover police was attacked and bitten as he tried to drive a car within the Eastern Docks...by a macaw!

Officers had stopped a woman as she drove through the port with a macaw sitting on her shoulder. Enquiries revealed she was a disqualified driver so she was arrested.

Her request the macaw accompanied her to custody was refused - but she didn’t have a cage for the bird, which meant it had to remain loose in the car.

Chief officer Steve Masters said: "A 'volunteer' was sought, the officer with the least length of service, to drive the vehicle to a more appropriate location.

"A very nervous probationary officer then proceeded to drive the vehicle to the police station with great difficulty and an equal amount of dexterity as the macaw perched itself on the steering wheel pecking at his fingers throughout the journey!"

The bird was collected by the RSPCA, which will look after it until the owner is released from custody.