Outrage at Haslingden sculpture vultures

6:00am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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By Helen Korn »

THIEVES have caused outrage after stealing part of a sculpture created by children from a special school.

The 7ft statue called ‘The Workers’, was created by pupils at Tor View Special Needs School after they beat 80 competitors to design art for the roundabout near Tesco in Haslingden.

Now one of the figures has been stolen and police believe it may have been taken for its scrap value.

It is the third time part of the sculpture has been stolen since its creation in 2006. Following earlier incidents the sculpture was welded down.

Bosses at the school said the sculpture’s sentimental value to the youngsters at Tor View was “priceless”.

And police said the theft, which happened early on Sunday, was a “disgrace”.

Plumbing students from Accrington and Rossen-dale College made the three ‘matchstick’ people pushing a cotton bobbin, out of tubular steel pieces.

Peter Sweetmore, chair of governors at Tor View, said the theft must have been the work of adults as one of the statues had been wrenched from its welded base.

He said: “At the moment, because the childre are on their summer holidays, they will not be aware that yet again one of their unique statues is missing. "The last time one was stolen, they were very upset as they had put a lot of effort in creating the figures and they love seeing them each day on their way to and from school on the bus.

“They will be very upset when they find out.”

Tor View, in Clod Lane, caters for children and adults aged four to 19 who have a wide range of learning, physical or sensory difficulties.

It serves the whole of Rossendale, although the catchment area stretches to Clitheroe and Barnoldswick.

PC Phil Buck said: “It’s a disgrace. Thieves need to realise the impact their theft has. We will do all we can to trace the culprits.

“Scrap metal dealers should be aware that their actions are equal to, if not worse than, that of thieves and they should report all suspicious activity to police.”

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the statue can contact police on 01706 237481.