Beloved Paddington Bear statue stolen, vandalized in Newbury. Two arrested for the crime.
Someone stole and broke a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Michael Bond’s hometown. The vandals smashed the statue into two pieces. Newbury is in West Berkshire.
The statue sat on a bench in town and delighted children after its October unveiling, which coincided with the upcoming release of the movie Paddington in Peru. Police arrested two 22-year-old men on suspicion of theft and criminal damage; they are currently in custody.
Originally, twenty-three Paddington statues existed across the UK. Newbury was the only town to keep one permanently, placing it right in the center. People enjoyed seeing it, and families took pictures with the statue.
Lee Dillon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, called the damage heartbreaking. He said Paddington brought joy to the community, and he had recently taken his own family photo with it.
Inspector Alan Hawkett, investigating the theft at the Newbury police station, said the statue is a loved part of Newbury. Police aimed to find the statue and thieves quickly. Police recovered the statue, arrested two people, and will keep it safe during restoration.
Paddington is visiting the police station and will enjoy a marmalade sandwich. Police ask for information about the crime. Call 101 or report online, using reference number 43250102626. You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using their website.