Art thieves have struck at a York gallery.
Police have issued CCTV images of two men they want to talk to after a statue was stolen from York Fine Arts on Low Petergate at 12.25pm on Monday (25 April).
A bronze statue titled ‘Highland Falls’ was taken from the gallery. Valued at more than £2,000 and measuring 17in by 15in by 6.5in, the limited edition piece features two stags fighting.
Deanna Dawkins, gallery manager at York Fine Arts, said: “As part of a community of independent retailers attempting to recover from a pandemic, we feel it is our duty to share this kind of information and spread awareness of criminal activity in the hope that others may stay vigilant.
“Given the increasing squeeze on household incomes, there is every possibility that the frequency of these types of crimes will increase in the future – and together, we must be prepared for them.”
One of the men seen on CCTV footage walks using a stick or cane, and the second man has tattoos on both hands.
Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch as soon as possible if they recognise the men in the images or any information that could help to locate the bronze statue.
Contact North Yorkshire Police if you can help – details below.
How to help the police
- Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the Safer Neighbourhood Service Desk
- Email Alastair Graham-Merrett here
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
- Quote reference number 12220069789