Nine wooden sculptures – including children’s favourite the Gruffalo – have been stolen for the second time in 12 months from Clifton Country Park.
The sculptures, which also include a fox, owl and a bear, were taken in the night between 11pm on Thursday January 16 and 6am Friday morning January 17.
The wooden figures were part of a family walking trail added by the council in 2017 as an extra attraction at one of Salford’s green spaces. The previous ones were stolen from the park early in 2024.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: “This deplorable act of theft and vandalism in the park has robbed families and walkers of the chance of enjoying these beautifully carved sculptures.
“Myself, along with staff from our Ranger Team and many residents from the local community are once again truly devastated.
“This is the second time in 12 months that the park has been ransacked and these sculptures removed in this way.”
The figures were made by Mike Burgess and weigh about half a tonne each.
A council spokesperson said a vehicle had been used by the thieves and locks on the park gates had been removed.
In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Salford Greater Manchester Police quoted the classic description from the children’s book: “He (the Gruffalo sculpture) has two large, curved horns on top of his head, his eyes are orange, and his tongue is black.
“We are asking for CCTV and doorbell footage from the area around Clifton House Road/Manchester Road.”
As part of the enquiry they are looking to identify a vehicle entering the car park around 5pm on January 16.
This set of wooden statues were reinstalled in August 2024 after previous features were stolen the year before.
GMP has urged anyone with information on the Gruffalo sculptures to contact them on 101.
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