Police are hunting strong-armed thieves who stole a massive bronze statue – of a HIPPO.
The giant bronze hippo weighing almost three quarters of a tonne was stolen from a show garden.
Kent Police are on the lookout for the hefty cast bronze ornament which officers said usually takes five people to lift and is around two metres long.
The hippo was stolen from a garden ornament business near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and it is thought the thieves would have needed a truck to poach it.
PC Nick Lingham said: “The hippo is extremely heavy and in the past it has taken five people to lift it.
“It is clear those responsible would have needed a large vehicle such as a flatbed truck and may have also needed to lift it by mechanical means.
‘It is a hugely distinctive object and it is unlikely the offenders will find it that easy to sell on as scrap or to a collector.”
The theft took place between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning when the culprits forced entry into the site’s show gardens.
PC Lingham added: “Because of its sheer size we are hoping people may have seen it being transported and also asking members of the public to keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious.’
