03-07-2025
Mystery figure prowls streets dressed as big cat
A mystery figure has been terrorising a neighbourhood while dressed as a large cat.
The figure – variously described online as an 'urban jaguar', 'banshee' and a 'gimp' – has been spotted prowling near Wallasey Beach in the Wirral.
Footage posted on social media showed the figure dressed in a dark figure-hugging morph suit and a cat mask.
Abbie Gilbert said she had been walking her dog on Sunday evening when her path crossed with the Merseyside panther.
She posted footage of the encounter on the Facebook page Crimewatch Wirral with the caption: 'Was walking my dog tonight and heard a man making cat noises, shone a torch, he was waving his arms at me before crawling up the hill. Never been so scared.'
Adam Crouch, the owner of nearby Northern Kites Kitesurf and Wingfoil School, said that the incident had taken place in the coastal park behind the Harvester Derby Pool Wallasey.
He told The Telegraph: 'It could be someone having a laugh or someone trying to prey on people. It is quite weird. Maybe he just always dresses like that.'
Another video posted on Facebook showed frightened car passengers screaming at the prancing figure.
Emily Spurrell, the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, encouraged those with concerns to report them to the police.
The cat figure's antics have been met with both ridicule and fear online.
One user responded to a video by writing: 'Hi, this is my cat. He isn't chipped and is quite skittish, we've been missing him for a few days so please don't approach again. We're hoping he comes back home soon, my wife's boyfriend is worried sick.'
Another advised those confronted by the fancy-dress feline to 'bark'.
Other users feared for the cat person's safety, with one suggesting the police would 'have a word with him to stop jumping out on people as he himself could end up getting battered by someone'.
Another dog walker spotted the Merseyside panther in the shadows by a pub. The woman told the BBC: 'I drove down to the coast by the Harvester pub to walk my dog and as soon as I was away from the street lights I began to hear a feline growling to my left.
'My little terrier, Mac, started barking away at the figure, so I got my phone for light and captured a short video. A man in a panther costume then crawled up the hill on all fours. I didn't feel scared, really, he was just waving his arms and making panther noises. I felt more confused than scared.'
