RARE STURGEON valued at £670 were stolen from Syon Park last weekend, in a repeat of robberies committed last year, leaving police fishing for clues as to who the culprits were.

Thirty five baby diamond sturgeon, were taken from Maidenhead Aquatics based at the Park in Isleworth, between 6pm on Friday (April 18th) and Saturday at 9am, when the theft was discovered.

The fish are around 4 inches long, and valued at about £18 each.

Police believe the thieves would have needed large containers to take the fish away in, and they may have been stolen to order.

Sergeant Simon Thomas said the crime was not a one off: Twice last year the same type of fish were taken, while other more expensive fish were left.''

He also revealed the sturgeon had only just arrived at the centre, as in the two previous occasions when the fish were taken.

Caviar is famously made from sturgeon eggs, but the fish taken last weekend would only have been used as pond pets.

An aquarium shop owner and fish expert contacted by the Times, who preferred not to be named felt it was unusual to single out that particular species of fish: They can grow very big, up to 6' plus, that's why we don't stock them. They're quite a specialist fish, grey coloured and quite weird looking. I don't think they're attractive, not my cup of tea.

It's strange they took them and left more valuable fish.''

It's believed amongst other fish sold at the centre, which is a chain store with branches around the country, were Koi carp which can cost as much as £10,000.

Sergeant Thomas appealed for help catching the thieves: If anyone sees someone selling fish on the cheap, or there's some exotic fish in your local chippy, give us a call.'' Contact the police on 8247 6117 if you have any information.