Bronze Statue Heist Shocks Kent Village
Thieves have made off with three hefty bronze statues worth £12,000 from a rural garden near Sellindge, Kent. The artworks – featuring a stag, two deer, and a wishing well – vanished without a trace in the dead of night.
Daring Theft in Stone Hill
The brazen robbery happened sometime between 7:30pm on April 4th and 6:30am the next day in the hamlet of Stone Hill. Owner Joanne Wootten, 51, was stunned by the thieves’ audacity who stole the priceless statues without damaging the electric gate or protective wall.
“It is scary,” Ms Wootten said. “I feel like my home has been invaded, even though they never stepped inside the house.”
Monumental Effort to Steal
- The stag alone weighs a colossal 300kg and needed a forklift truck to lift it.
- The wishing well statue required six strong adults to position it across a small stream.
- The criminals navigated a narrow wooden footbridge only wide enough for two people – an incredible logistical feat.
Owner’s Warning and Police Hunt Underway
Just the night before the theft, Ms Wootten’s daughter spotted someone hiding under the stag statue but dismissed it as a trick of the light and rain.
Since the heist, Ms Wootten has appealed for witnesses at her Blue Anchor Pub and through the ‘Nextdoor’ social app – but so far, no solid leads have emerged.
Kent Police are now investigating and urge anyone with information to come forward. Ms Wootten has also stepped up security with new CCTV cameras to stop repeat raids.
