CCTV appeal over stolen Nutcracker Trail figure

Images of two men police want to speak with over the theft of one of the sculptures in York's annual Christmas Nutcracker Trail have been released.

The figure was taken from Barley Hall in York city centre at 01:40 GMT on 21 November and North Yorkshire Police said the incident involved two men and a woman.

The trail featured 10 sculptures, each representing different nationalities of people living in the city, the stolen sculpture was later found badly damaged.

Officers said anyone who recognised the men in the CCTV images should contact the force.

The missing figure, representing Great Britain, was later found wrapped in plastic bags and a pink blanket, according to York BID, which runs the trail.

The organisation had worked with local artist MarcoLooks, otherwise known as Marc Godfrey-Murphy, to create the trail.

Its theme was intended to celebrate the different communities that make up York's population, with the sculptures dotted around the city for visitors to find.

The theft of the sculpture at Barley Hall was not the only incident linked to the trail.

Another of the figures went missing from the Skeldergate area in December and was later recovered from the River Ouse.

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