A fine mess Thieves take Laurel and Hardy
THE owner of a 2ft high Laurel and Hardy ornament has had the last laugh after smash-and-grab thieves pinched the “worthless” object.
Paul Williams who lives on Callington Road in Brislington discovered his porch window had been put through and his Laurel and Hardy effigy “lifted”.
He said: “It’s unbelievable. They’ve been on the porch viewing Callington Road in all their glory for 20 years.
“So why some people decide that all of a sudden they seem desirable is just beyond belief.”
Mr Williams has owned the ornament for more than 30 years, having bought it with his wife in Looe, Cornwall.
He said at first he was disappointed, but now has had the last laugh because “there is no monetary value in them”.
He said: “They’ve been cracked and repaired countless times so from a financial point of view they’re virtually worthless.”
One of the slapstick duo has even had its leg snapped off.
Mr Williams is unable to recall how much he paid for the duo but said for someone to steal them is just “stupid”.
He said: “It’s not so much the cost but it’s the sentimental value, as it has been a part of our lives for so long.”
The 74 year-old said it’s not just losing the sculpture that is a problem but the “inconvenience” of having to fork out money to repair the porch window. At first Mr Williams was hesitant to call the police.
He said: “I had to tell them that this wasn’t a hoax, but someone has just pinched our effigy of Laurel and Hardy. Of course, the officer laughed as this was an unusual thing to report.”
Mr Williams said the stolen item can never be replaced and so it will no longer be a part of his family’s Christmas porch feature.
Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses who have information about the Laurel and
Hardy figurine that was stolen overnight on Friday, October 16.
A spokesperson said: “If you have been offered the item for sale in suspicious circumstances, have dash cam footage of Callington Road that night or any other information which could help, call 101 quoting reference 5220235586. Alternatively ring the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never tell the police who you are, just what you know.”
Officers have carried out houseto-house enquiries and the investigation continues.