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We can’t bear to be without it

James Crisp
21/ 3/2007

PRESTBURY has fallen foul of a grizzly crime - the theft of a five foot tall bear.

The carved wooden beast, an antique umbrella and hat stand, has been in the victims' family for more than 60 years and they are desperate to get it back.

Burglars struck at a detached fenced home on Broadwalk, Prestbury, at some point between February 16 and February 18 - while the owners were away for the weekend.

The thieves forced open a large glass window to a back garden conservatory before ransacking the house.

Police, who are going on a bear hunt, are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. And if you spot the darkly coloured bear, carved from a trunk, around and about, officers want you to contact them as soon as possible.

PC Timothy Burchill, leading the investigation, said: "Burglary is always a distressing crime for the victims.

"But in this case the loss of the bear - a family heirloom which has been in their lives for generations - is very upsetting. They have lost other property as a result of this - but this is the one item they really want to get back."

The imposing animal, which stands on its hind legs grasping a branch, was not the only oddity to go in the raid.

The criminals also escaped with an antique wooden tantalus with three drinks decanters. A tantalus is a decorative drinks container with a lock. A Georgian teapot, coffee jug, milk jug, sugar basin, all in silver, and two silver wine coasters were also taken in the raid.

• IF you have any information about this crime call PC Burchill on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.