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'Harry the Hippo': Stolen bronze ornament named after Duke of Sussex leaves staff upset at Chilstone garden centre in Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells
10:56, 14 January 2019
updated: 12:04, 14 January 2019
Garden centre staff have expressed their sadness after their favourite ornament named after Prince Harry was stolen during a break-in.
'Harry the Hippo' weighs almost three quarters of a tonne and is approximately 2m long.
The object was taken from the Chilstone premises sometime between 5.30pm on Wednesday, January 9 and 7am on Thursday, January 10.
Steve Clark, general manager at the site in Fordcombe Road, Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells said: "It has upset all of our staff and he has been part of the family for a long time, kids loved him.
"It's gone viral, which is great because it makes the hippo very hot property.
"Whoever might have it will probably have to dump it now.
"People have been stopping me in the street and asking me if I've found my hippo yet, it's bizarre."
Mr Clark did not want to reveal its price, but it had been displayed at Chilstone for seven years.
It was named after Prince Harry, after he and his wife Meghan Markle announced their engagement in November 2017.
Chilstone had supplied planters to Kensington Palace gardens back in 2011, which were seen in pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after announcing their plans to wed.
"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle photobombed four of the 22 planters that we supplied to the Palace back in 2011, so we had to name him Harry after that."
PC Nick Lingham said: "The hippo is extremely heavy and in the past it has taken five people to lift it.
"It is clear those responsible would have needed a large vehicle such as a flat-bed truck and may have also needed to lift it by mechanical means.
"It is a hugely distinctive object and it is unlikely the offenders will find it that easy to sell on as scrap or to a collector.
"Because of its sheer size we are hoping people may have seen it being transported and also asking members of the public to keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious."
Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 10-0236.
Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
