Two Royal Air Force engineers have been named as the men charged with criminal damage after a Paddington Bear statue was cut in half and stolen.
The sculpture of the popular children’s character, unveiled last October in Newbury, Berkshire, was damaged before the broken pieces were stolen earlier this month.
The stolen part of the statue has since been recovered by officers.
The RAF engineers, Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, have been charged with criminal damange and will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday, The Sun reported.
A spokesman said: ‘We are aware that two service personnel have been arrested for alleged theft and criminal damage.
‘However, we are unable to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.’
Newbury was the birthplace of Paddington author Michael Bond, who died in June 2017 aged 91.
Investigating officer inspector Alan Hawkett previously said: ‘The Paddington Bear statue is a beloved part of Newbury, so we have been doing everything we can to locate it and the offenders.
Police previously posed alongside the statue of Paddington Bear in Newbury, Berkshire
Two Royal Air Force engineers have been named as the men charged with criminal damage after a Paddington Bear statue was cut in half and stolen
The RAF engineers, Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, have been charged with criminal damange and will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday
The fibreglass model was one of 23 installed nationwide as part of a Paddington trail ahead of the release of Paddington in Peru last year
‘I am delighted we have made two arrests and recovered the statue, which we will keep safe and support its restoration to its rightful place in Northbrook Street.
‘In the meantime, Paddington is heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich.’
The fibreglass model was one of 23 installed nationwide as part of a Paddington trail ahead of the release of Paddington in Peru last year.
Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, previously wrote on X: ‘Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community.
‘Just yesterday, I stopped to take a photo of him with my family. This senseless damage is so disappointing.’
Marmalade sandwich-loving Paddington, who first appeared in books written by Bond in the 1950s, was named after the London station where he was discovered – wearing a tag that urged: ‘Please look after this bear.’
That same railway terminus now has a statue in his honour, and others have been erected elsewhere across the country.
Paddington Bear’s fond place in UK hearts was symbolised by his appearance in a sketch alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.