Residents of a Berkshire town have celebrated the return of a Paddington Bear statue after it was sliced in two and stolen overnight, police have said.
The sculpture, one of a number of Paddington statues dotted across the UK, was taken from a bench in Northbrook Street, Newbury, at about 02:00 GMT Sunday morning, according to Thames Valley Police.
Images from the crime scene show the statue had been sliced in half by vandals, with the front section taken by thieves.
Two people have since been arrested following the incident, and the Paddington statue is reportedly ‘heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich’.
The 22-year-old suspects, both men from Basingstoke remain in police custody on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.
Investigating officer Inspector Alan Hawkett, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, based at Newbury police station, 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.’
The force said they would keep the sculpture safe and support its restoration.
