A woman visiting Verulamium Park in St Albans exchanged words with a man she allegedly saw take a duck from the lake, and put it into a bag.

Herts Advertiser: Officers have released pictures of a man they would like to speak toOfficers have released pictures of a man they would like to speak to (Image: photo supplied)

The man, who was with a woman, then walked towards the car park, according to Herts Police.

Pc Jos Bartlett, from the Rural Operational Support Team, investigating, said: “Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is an offence to take, kill or injure any wild bird and under the Animal Welfare Act it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal.

“We take incidents of this type extremely seriously and will do our utmost to arrest offenders.”

It is alleged that on Sunday June 5, at about 11.15am, a man was seen taking a young mallard from the lake and placing it into a carrier bag.

But, after being challenged by a woman in the vicinity, he eventually returned the bird to the lake.

It is further alleged that the man verbally abused the woman before leaving the park.

Pc Bartlett said that she was keen to speak to the man pictured, “as we believe he may have information that can help our investigation”.

If you know this man or have any information about the incident, contact the Herts Police non-emergency number 101.