Squawking Parrot Helps Nab Wallsend Burglar

Police admitted ``assistance comes in the strangest forms'' after a parrot helped catch a burglar in North Tyneside by squawking a warning to his owner.

The pet became agitated after an intruder broke into his home in Wallsend and he woke his owner by calling out.

Police were called and a 32-year-old woman was arrested after the break-in on Wednesday.

Temporary Detective Inspector Dave Watson said: ``At one incident last week the offender disturbed the occupant's parrot, which woke the victim, resulting in a woman being charged with burglary.

``Sometimes assistance comes in the strangest forms.''