THIS is the image that shows Bob, the pet rabbit at the centre of an art raid, is safe and well.

But his kidnappers, who have released photos of the moment they took the bunny from an art installation at Manchester's Cornerhouse gallery, say they will not give him back.

The anonymous holder of Bob has issued a strong message to his artist owner Richard Charnock, after the M.E.N received a disc containing a statement and the photographs.

Mr Charnock had put his pet in an exhibit called An Exploration into Consciousness where visitors to the Oxford Street arts centre could watch Bob react to the world around him.

Bob's keeper says he is also a Manchester artist and is keeping the rabbit in a `safe house'.

He said: "We just saw a really unhappy rabbit that was really frightened.

"We're not animal rights campaigners but I saw something that I found really rather disturbing that I felt should not be represented as art.

"Bob is safe and well and has shown us he is happy with his new home. I will not be returning him.

"I think his owner has proved how he feels about his pet by leaving him at the gallery."

He carried out the raid on Wednesday with the help of three friends.

Wearing a white rabbit mask and hood and armed with two carrots he took a lift to the fourth floor - where work by Manchester Metropolitan University students is being exhibited - took Bob from his pen, placed him in a bag and left the gallery. Police were called in to examine CCTV footage of the raid after the theft was discovered.

Gallery staff say the work followed advice from the RSPCA, Manchester council and a rabbit behaviour expert.

Cornerhouse director Dave Moutrey branded the act an `irresponsible prank'.

Artist Mr Charnock said: "I wanted the installation to be a nice environment for him and can tell when he is unhappy and he wasn't. He wasn't traumatised at all. If I felt he was I'd have taken him home.

"The rabbit is far more important than any of the artwork to me, and I just want him back. He's my pet."