He’s Back – Paddington Bear Returns to Newbury

And he’s more marmalade than ever…

After a little ‘adventure’ that none of us expected, Newbury’s much-loved bear has finally returned home. The sun was shining, and the town was buzzing with excitement as families, children, local businesses, and the press came together to celebrate his big return.

What Happened to Paddington?

In the early hours of 2 March, just after 2 am, two men from Leicestershire and West Yorkshire, aged 22, pulled Paddington off his bench and took him away. They even got in a taxi and carried him all the way to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Odiham in Hampshire.

Thanks to the quick work of our Newbury Neighbourhood Policing Team and Special Constabulary, the two were tracked down and arrested later that same day. The bear was safely recovered and taken in for repairs.

On 25 March, at Reading Magistrates’ Court, both men admitted what they had done and were given 12-month community orders.

Inspector Alan Hawkett, who led the investigation, shared:

“As soon as the vandalism and theft were reported to us, we knew we had to do everything we could to retrieve the beloved statue and bring the offenders to justice, which we achieved.

“The investigation was a real team effort, including my team, the Special Constabulary, CCTV operators, and others. We also had a lot of help from Newbury BID, local businesses, taxi companies, and the general public, so thank you to everyone who supported our efforts.”

Following essential repairs, the bear was reinstalled on Wednesday, 9th April. To mark the occasion, an unveiling ceremony was held at 11:30 am, organised by the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).

Residents, families, and local visitors attended the event to welcome Paddington back to his usual spot. As part of the day’s activities, children were invited to write letters welcoming Paddington home and post them in a special post box next to his bench.

This incident brought together many parts of the Newbury community, from the police and local authorities to families and businesses. It also reminded many people of the value of local landmarks and the role they play in shaping a town’s identity.

With the bear now safely back in place, Newbury can once again enjoy the familiar presence of Paddington Bear in the town centre.