Cops confirm baby Jesus doll located

CHRISTMAS has come early for a Perth church after police located its stolen baby Jesus doll.

The life-size doll was snatched from the traditional manger scene outside St John’s Kirk on Monday night.

Following the theft, police revealed they wanted to speak to a trio of youngsters seen acting suspiciously at the city centre display at around 11.30pm, the time the figurine was taken.

Church elders said the same thing happened last year, before guilt got the better of the thieves and the figure was returned.

Elders and local MSPs issued an appeal for the doll’s safe return before police confirmed last night that the figure had been located.

Officers said the doll was found undamaged and that a report had been sent to the procurator fiscal after three males were identified in connection with the theft.

A police spokesman confirmed: “Officers in Perth can now advise that the stolen property has now been traced and will be returned to the nativity display in due course.”

Speaking after the doll was swiped, Margaret Steele, session clerk of St John’s Kirk, said the theft was “very sad”.

“I went to the kirk this morning and was told of the theft — it takes away all the meaning of Christmas,” she said.

A baby lamb was also stolen, and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney certainly hopes the thieves will be feeling a little sheepish.

“Christmas is no time for the lack of respect that has been shown here,” he said.

The nativity scene belongs to Perth and Kinross Council.

Police officers with the recovered doll.