A SMASH and grab thief has stolen a statue valued at £5,500 from a shop in Stockbridge.

The raider struck at around 2am on Friday, November 23 when a front window was broken at the Wykeham Art Gallery, High Street.

The bronze statue of a stag, valued at £5,500, which was on display in the window.

PC James Dalton, said: “I am appealing for anyone with any information about this incident to come forward.

“The statue is about 26 inches tall and is very heavy.  It is likely to have required two people to lift it, or possibly a van or a similar vehicle to transport it in.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC Dalton at Andover police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.