Appeal for stolen Rupert the Bear statue (From News Shopper)

Appeal for stolen Rupert the Bear statue

1:14pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Bromley By Heloise Wood

A GRANDFATHER has been left "devastated" after a 40-year-old Rupert the Bear statue was stolen from his front garden.

The much loved model is thought to have been stolen in the early hours of September 15 from outside Colin Bradshaw’s house in Perry Hall Road, Orpington.

The 68-year-old life-long Bromley resident owns more than a hundred garden statues which have delighted local children for decades.

He said: "The neighbours kids always used to say ‘Hello Rupert the Bear’ every morning.

"I bought it about over 40 years ago and my children and grandchildren all grew up with it."

The retired steel erector used to give the statue a fresh lick of paint each year and even created a fake right ear made out of polystyrene when the old one fell off.

Mr Bradshaw said: "When I found out it was gone, I was completely devastated.

"Our privacy was infringed which is horrible to think about it."

Anyone with any information should call Bromley Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.