Police have recovered a beloved Paddington Bear statue after it was smashed in half and stolen from a bench in Newbury, Berkshire.
The statue, which was sliced in two by vandals with the front section taken, was stolen at around 2am on Sunday morning from Northbrook Street.
Two arrests have been made following the incident. Thames Valley Police confirmed the statue was damaged before the broken piece was stolen shortly after 2am on Sunday.
Images from the crime scene showed the statue had been sliced in half, with thieves taking the front section.
The Paddington statue had been split in half
Thames Valley Police/Lee Dillon MP
The statue was only unveiled in October last year as part of the Paddington Visits trail. Two 22-year-old men from Basingstoke have been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.
The suspects remain in police custody, Thames Valley Police said. Officers from the Newbury Neighbourhood Policing Team also seized the damaged statue during their investigation. The stolen part of the statue has now been recovered.
Investigating officer Inspector Alan Hawkett, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The Paddington Bear statue is a beloved part of Newbury so we have been doing everything we can to locate it and the offenders.
"I am delighted we have made two arrests and recovered the statue, which we will keep safe and support its restoration to its rightful place in Northbrook Street."
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Inspector Hawkett added that: "Paddington is heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich."
The force said they would keep the sculpture safe and support its restoration to its rightful place. Thames Valley Police thanked everyone who supported their investigation and shared memories of the statue.
Newbury BID brought Paddington to the town in October 2024, in partnership with StudioCanal as part of the national Paddington Visits trail.
Newbury is the birthplace of Paddington's creator, Michael Bond.
Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, said on X: "Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community."
Trish Willetts, CEO at Newbury BID, said: "We are shocked and heartbroken to see such a senseless act of vandalism has taken place in our charming market town."
Anyone with information about the theft and criminal damage is asked to call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 43250102626.
