VIDEO: Ello, ello, ello...Why a runaway emu wouldn’t come quietly when offered a lift by Lincolnshire Police

However, he’s never had to wrestle with an emu...until now.

Together with his fellow Horncastle officer PC Gary Young, PC Harrison answered a call this morning (Wednesday) to say an “ostrich-like bird” was on the loose in Coningsby.

Apparently, the all white bird - which stands more than four feet high and can run at 30mph - was spotted calming walking down Dogdyke Road.

It wasn’t causing a flap, but residents were more than a little surprised when they opened their bedroom curtains and spotted a bird which is more at home on the plains of Australia.

PC Harrison said: “The call came through just after 7.30am, we honestly thought it was a wind up.

“We’ve seen most things in our time but it’s not every day you see a ostrich - or an emu for that matter - in Coningsby.”

When they arrived, the bird was strolling around a garden.

The two officers managed to “round up” the emu in the garage of a nearby property.

Then, then had a problem of what to do with it.

After a few phone calls they managed to take the emu to Tattershall Park Farm...in the back of their patrol car.

However, it appears the bird did not go quietly.

PC Harrison told the News: “We had a bit of a battle.

“We’ve had a few drunks - and other people in the back of the car - and they’ve been a lot less trouble.

“It wasn’t really aggressive but it was very strong and we had a bit of a wrestle with it. It didn’t appreciate a ride in a police car.”

After a 10-minute journey, which PC Harrison admitted was “like a lifetime” - the officers - and the bird - arrived at the farm.

The emu was put in a pen where it quickly settled in alongside his new neighbours - Cyril a British spotted pony and two rather amorous micro pigs.

Officers are continuing their enquiries in a bid to track down the owner of the emu.

However, staff at the Park Farm are more than happy for it to stay there.

Farm owner Shirley Morrell said: “We’ve no idea where he’s come from. I can’t imagine someone kept him as a pet.

“There again, you’d be surprised what some people keep as pets. The two micro pigs were brought in by a lady who kept them in her front lounge.”

As for the emu - nicknamed “Eric” by the media - he left rather more than his calling card on the back seat of the patrol car!