Investigation launched after ornament stolen from Arbroath pond

POLICE are investigating after a beloved ornament, which was paid for through charitable donations, was stolen from an Arbroath pond.

The body of the damselfly ornament, which sits in Keptie Pond, is understood to have been taken some time between 8pm on Friday and 6.30am on Saturday, leaving a thin piece of metal sticking out of the water.

A police spokesman confirmed they were looking into the incident.

A spokesman for Angus Council said: “The Friends of Keptie Pond made us aware of the theft.

“The group had our permission to install the damselfly ornament and it’s sad to see that it has been stolen.

“Friends of Keptie Pond carry out marvellous work at the attraction for the benefit of us all and we would ask anyone who can assist with inquiries to contact the police.”

A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland are appealing for information about the theft of a sculpture from Keptie Pond, Arbroath sometime between 8pm on Friday August 16 and 6.30am on Saturday August 17.

“The sculpture is of a metal dragonfly and usually sits about 2ft above the water. This was paid for by charitable fundraising, and was put in place on July 29.

“Although not particularly large, it was situated about 32ft out into the middle of the pond, and those responsible for removing it must have waded into the water to do so.”

Anyone with information that could help police should call 101.

The theft comes days after a mysterious statue, known as Keptie Kev, appeared in the pond.

Compared to the Mirror Man statue in Loch Earn in Perthshire, 6ft Kev was spotted on August 10.