A beloved Paddington Bear statue, which had been proudly displayed in Newbury, Berkshire, has been stolen—but thankfully, it has been found, and two men have been arrested in connection with the crime.
The iconic sculpture, inspired by Michael Bond’s famous character and featured in recent blockbuster films, was unveiled just last October in Bond’s hometown.
The Shocking Discovery of a Missing Paddington
On March 2, the statue, which had been located on Northbrook Street, mysteriously disappeared.
All that was left behind was Paddington’s coat, hanging on a bench just a short distance from a poster promoting his latest movie.
It wasn’t until early in the morning, around 2 AM, that Thames Valley Police discovered the statue had been cut in half and stolen.
Arrests and Recovery of the Statue
Thanks to quick work by local authorities, two men—both aged 22 and from Basingstoke—were arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.
Police confirmed they had recovered the stolen portion of the statue, and it will be safely kept until it can be restored to its rightful place on Northbrook Street.
Inspector Alan Hawkett, who is leading the investigation, expressed his relief saying, “I’m delighted we have made two arrests and recovered the statue.”
Hawkett went on to add a lighthearted note, saying, “In the meantime, Paddington is heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich,” a nod to the bear’s famous love for the treat.
Community Reacts to the Loss
The theft has hit the local community hard. Lee Dillon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, shared his sadness on social media, calling the vandalism “heartbreaking.”
He wrote, “Just yesterday, I stopped to take a photo of him with my family. This senseless damage is so disappointing.”
Paddington has long been a source of joy for residents of Newbury, and the thought of his sudden disappearance left many in shock.
Paddington’s Cultural Impact and Legacy
Paddington Bear, first introduced in books by Michael Bond in the 1950s, has captured the hearts of millions across the UK and beyond.
His adventures have been turned into films, with the most recent release, Paddington in Peru, hitting cinemas last November.
The character, known for his fondness for marmalade sandwiches, was named after the London station where he was discovered as a stowaway bear, wearing a tag that read: “Please look after this bear.”
The Special Connection to Newbury
Newbury holds a particularly special place in Paddington’s history.
The town is the birthplace of Michael Bond, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91.
The Paddington statue in Newbury was one of many placed across the UK as part of a nationwide “Paddington Visits” trail, meant to promote the latest film and celebrate the bear’s legacy.
However, Newbury’s monument was the only one granted permanent status, which made the loss of the statue even more shocking to locals.
Local officials had previously emphasized the significance of this statue, with West Berkshire Councillor Louise Sturgess calling it an “extra special connection” to Bond and the town.
“We’re really, really pleased to be able to bring him home—who doesn’t love Paddington?” she said at the time.
Looking Ahead to Paddington’s Return
As the investigation continues, the people of Newbury eagerly await the statue’s restoration.
The local police have placed a gazebo around the bench while they continue their work, ensuring that Paddington’s return will be a highly anticipated event for the community.
For now, the missing bear has been found, but his journey back to Northbrook Street has just begun.