A heavy cast iron stag statue standing 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds has been stolen from the entrance of a holiday park in Cornwall, England. The theft occurred at Tamar View Holiday Park in St Ann's Chapel, near Callington in east Cornwall, where the statue had served as a welcoming landmark for years.
The statue, which was mounted on a concrete base weighing about 400 pounds, was discovered missing by staff on Monday morning. Police believe the theft took place during the early hours of Sunday. The combined weight of the statue and its base totaled nearly 620 pounds, making the theft a particularly challenging operation.
Naomi Pike, marketing manager at Tamar View Holiday Park, explained the complexity of the crime to BBC Radio Cornwall. "It's a big stag," Pike said. "We think it would have taken two or three people, or even machinery, to lift it. The base has gone too, so it's quite a feat." The incident has been officially reported to local police authorities.
The stolen statue had become much more than just decoration for the holiday park. Pike described it as "a bit of an accidental landmark" that had gained significance within the local community. "Everyone knows it when they pass through the village," she explained. "There's been a lot of disbelief and sadness, it's such a familiar part of life in the community."
Despite launching appeals on social media platforms, no sightings of the missing statue have been reported. Pike emphasized that the statue's value extends far beyond monetary considerations. "It's more sentimental than anything," she added with a touch of humor. "We've got no idea where he's gone, but if he could just stagger on home soon, we'd be over the moon." The park continues to hope for the statue's safe return to its longtime home at the entrance.
