Famous Station Cat George Stolen from West Wickham, Found Safe After Search
In a heartwarming yet concerning incident, George, a beloved station cat famous for his daily routine of lying on copies of the Metro newspaper, was stolen from his perch at West Wickham station last week. The cat, who has become a local celebrity for warming up the newspapers each morning, was snatched by a woman who stuffed him into her shopping bag, sparking a desperate search across London.
The Disappearance and Theft
The incident occurred around 2pm on Thursday when the woman took George from his usual spot at West Wickham station. She was seen carrying him onto a train and later exiting at Elmer's End station a few minutes later, with the cat still concealed in her bag. George belongs to Steven Fletcher, a member of Metro's commercial team, who reported the theft immediately, leading to widespread concern among commuters and animal lovers.
Safe Recovery and Health Check
Fortunately, George has been safely located after he made his way into someone's home through a cat flap and, as Steven described, 'made himself at home.' Steven shared an update, stating, 'You'll be pleased to know George had a good night. He was ravenous when we got to him, but he has made up for it. He's now resting in our boy's play tent when the little fella's not stroking him!'
To ensure his well-being, George was taken to a veterinarian for a thorough health check and will remain at home for two days to recover and return to normal. Steven added optimistically, 'No doubt he'll be back at the station by the end of the week.'
Details and Police Involvement
George is microchipped for identification but does not wear a collar because he tends to escape from them quickly. Steven confirmed that local police are aware of the woman who stole George and will monitor the situation closely. The theft has highlighted the vulnerability of pets in public spaces, even those as well-known as George.
Community Impact and Trending News
This incident comes amid other trending stories in London, such as brown water flooding from a burst water main affecting businesses, conflicts in schools over violence, and a machete gang incident at a jeweller's. George's story has captured public attention, underscoring the bond between animals and their communities in urban settings.
For the latest updates on this and other London news, readers are encouraged to follow reliable sources. George's safe return is a relief to all who have followed his daily antics at the station, and his story serves as a reminder of the importance of pet safety and community vigilance.
