Thieves Steal ‘Special’ Statue Hours Before It’s Unveiled to Public

The unveiling of wood carved statue has been cancelled after callous thieves stole the item from an Early Years Centre from Wrexham overnight.

Tattybogle, the scarecrow statue by tree carver Simon O’Rourke has been stolen hours before its unveiling in Caia Woods. Created with help from children at Wrexham Early Years Centre the sculpture it was funded with money given by the Natural Resources Wales when the woodlands won the Royal Forestry Society woodland award.

The two metre high, solid oak wooden sculpture was due to be unveiled by local children at 10am this morning.

However overnight thieves stole the item, which was located at the rear of the Caia Park Early Years Forum, Prince Charles Road, Wrexham.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “We are very disappointed that someone has stolen this sculpture which was sculpted by Simon O’Rourke. He created something very special with help from children at the Wrexham Early Years Centre and we were all looking forward to its unveiling this morning. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of this statue they should contact the police who we are working with to recover the statue. “

Simon O’Rouke told Wrexham.com that the statue took two and a half days to create, plus planning time. Simon added: “I just think it’s sad that someone is desperate enough to feel they had to do that.”

Anyone with any further information on the theft is urged to contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting crime reference number RC15146716