Thief marches off with two 6ft soldier statues from outside Northampton theatre

Gutted staff at Northampton's The Deco theatre are pleading for the return of two 6ft Christmas soldiers taken from outside its front doors in Northampton town centre on Saturday night.

Theatre-goers visiting The Deco's Covid-safe panto, Sleeping Beauty Christmas 2020, have been delighted by the two figures standing guard in porch in Abington Square.

But the pair went missing sometime between 7pm on Saturday and 8.45am on Sunday morning.

Deco staff posted CCTV images of a man they believe may have information about the theft on the theatre's Facebook site — but insist they are more concerned with getting their soldiers back in one piece.

A spokesman for the theatre said: “We know it’s been a tough year for many, but that still doesn’t excuse helping yourself to other people’s property.

"So to the chap who took the two seasonal decoration soldiers from outside our theatre — placed there as part of making a visit to our Christmas Panto feel even more festive — we’d really appreciate it if you brought them back.

"It’s such a shame they’ve been stolen. So many children have loved posing for photos with them.

"Anyway, the police have been informed and given the CCTV footage, but if our soldiers are returned we’ll leave it at that."

Sleeping Beauty Christmas 2020! runs until December 24 at The Deco.