BBC presenter Rory Cellan-Jones has issued an urgent appeal after his dog walker’s van was stolen in West London with his pet inside.

His black-and-white collie, named Cabbage, was one of six dogs in the vehicle at the time of theft, which happened on Erconwald St in Acton at about 10am on Friday morning.

Mr Cellan-Jones said on Twitter: “Something terrible has happened.

“Our dog walker’s van with our dog Cabbage in it has been stolen while he was picking up another pet.”

PLEASE SHARE THIS. Our dog walker’s van with our dog Cabbage in it has been stolen while he was calling at a house in Erconwald Street near East Acton tube London W3 at 10. Please look out for a black Ford Transit reg AF20 XZD. Take a photo and DM me or just ring the police pic.twitter.com/RwtiXtgpfV

He told his 100,000 followers to look out for a black Ford Transit with the licence plate number AF20 XZD.

“Take a photo and DM me or just ring the police,” he added.

Mr Cellan-Jones’ first tweet has been shared more than 5,000 times and he has since posted several pleas for help.

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Metropolitan Police said they were called to Erconwald St at 10.11am to reports of a stolen van containing six dogs.

Mr Cellan-Jones told Friday magazine he has owned Cabbage for some 12 years after rescuing the “nervous young dog” from a sanctuary.

He said: “Cabbage has the sweetest nature and has never given us any trouble.

“In general she combines the gentlest temperament with the characteristic collie intelligence.”

Mr Cellan-Jones regularly posts photos of Cabbage on social media.

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