The Conservative candidate for Worcester at the upcoming general election has thrown his support behind a new bill that would create a new offence for the theft of cats and dogs.

Marc Bayliss, who is also the deputy police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, publicly supported Tory backbench MP Anna Firth's bill.

Mr Bayliss said: "Until now the theft of pet cats and dog has not been a specific crime and instead has been dealt with under the 1968 Theft Act, but this really doesn’t recognise the especially harmful impact that the theft of a valued family member has on the owner and the whole family.

<hr>

Read more: Trumpet Inn landlord hits back at complaining 'freeloaders'

<hr>

"I fully support the work of Anna Firth to make the theft of pet cats and dogs a specific offence and for it to carry heavier penalties and sentences than the theft of other property."

He added: “During the pandemic the price of cats and dogs rose significantly and I believe this has led to increased interest amongst criminals who see it as a get rich quick scheme.

"We need to do more to discourage this and the proposed new maximum sentence of five years in prison would go some way to do that.”