A large bronze statue of a hare has been stolen from a trade stand at Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort in South Gloucestershire, and the home of the Badminton Horse Trials.
Avon and Somerset Police said the statue, which sits on a hamstone base and measures 4ft 6in (1.35m) in height, was made by Somerset artist Jan Sweeny and is valued at £19,000. The Badminton Horse Trials is a five-day event that takes place annually in April or May in the park of Badminton House. The event ran from May 4 to May 8 this year.
Pc Matt Leigh said: “Being bronze, the statue weighs a considerable amount and so it’s likely more than one person was involved in removing it from the trade stand it was on display at. We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have seen it being removed or transported and are also asking those at Badminton to keep an eye out for it.
