In October 2024, twenty three statues of the beloved illustrated character Paddington Bear were installed across the UK. The permanent installations were to promote StudioCanal’s film “Paddington in Peru” before its release. One special statue of the Peruvian bear holding his favorite food, a marmalade sandwich, was installed in Newbury, the hometown of creator Michael Bond.
Around 2 AM on Sunday, March 2nd, this particular statue was found stolen from the bench where it sat. Later that same day, the statue was recovered.
The police department assured everyone that Paddington was “heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich”.
Two Basingstoke men were arrested for theft and criminal damage. These men are accused of cutting the statue off the bench, leaving just a hollowed backside affixed to it. They have been released on conditional bail and are expected to appear in Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 25th.
The statue remains with police until it can be restored. (And this is just another example of why we can’t have nice things.)
The “Paddington Bear” books have been adapted into a British television series and three films, the most recent being “Paddington in Peru.” With a planned fourth film on the way.
