Police are on the hunt for thieves who pulled off a daring heist, making off with three large bronze statues from a rural garden near Sellindge, Kent. The stolen artworks, including depictions of a stag, two deer, and a wishing well, are valued at an estimated £12,000.
The baffling theft occurred in the hamlet of Stone Hill and is believed to have taken place between 7:30pmon April 4th and 6:30 AM the following morning. Joanne Wootten, the owner of the rural farm, expressed astonishment at the audacity of the burglars, who managed to abscond with the statues without causing damage to the property’s electric gate or protective wall.
Ms Wootten, aged 51, recounted the considerable effort it took to install the statues, with the stag alone weighing an impressive 300 kilograms (47 stone) and requiring the use of a forklift truck for installation. The wishing well scene, similarly weighty, necessitated the effort of six adults to position it in place, separated from the road by a small stream.
Describing the intricate logistics involved, Ms Wootten speculated that the thieves would have had to navigate a small wooden footbridge, only wide enough for two people, to transport the bronze statues across the stream.
Recounting a suspicious incident the night before the theft, Ms Wootten revealed that her daughter had observed what appeared to be someone lurking underneath the stag. Ignoring the potential warning signs, they attributed it to a trick of the light and rain.
In the aftermath of the theft, Ms Wootten has launched appeals for information among patrons of her Blue Anchor Pub and users of the ‘Nextdoor’ neighbourhood social media app. Despite her efforts, no substantial leads have surfaced, leaving both Ms Wootten and her neighbours shaken by the brazen intrusion.
Reflecting on the unsettling ordeal, Ms Wootten remarked, “It is scary, and I feel like my home has been invaded even though they did not come into the house.” She has taken proactive measures to bolster security, including the installation of additional CCTV cameras.
Kent Police have initiated an investigation into the theft, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in apprehending the perpetrators.
