Brighton: Shaun the Sheep statue damage 'will not be tolerated'

Several Shaun the Sheep statues were removed from a charity art trail after they were damaged just weeks into the initiative.

Now, police have added that they “do not tolerate” vandalism after one statue of Shaun dressed as a policeman was scrawled upon with an anti-police acronym.

Inspector Ward, of the Sussex Police neighbourhood policing team, said: “We do not tolerate any form of vandalism and targeting the charitable statues is no exception.

Damage to the Kensington Place statue (Image: The Argus)

“Sadly, as a direct result of the incidents, the WPC Gracie statue has had to be removed from location.

“We will be investigating all reports of vandalism and so urge anyone who has information around those responsible for causing the damage to come forward.”

Sussex Police’s WPC Gracie, sponsored by crime writer Peter James, is one of multiple Shaun the Sheep sculptures that have been damaged and removed.

WPC Gracie was removed from Hove seafront and moved to Martlet’s London Road charity shop after the ACAB acronym was graffitied across its face.

Most recently, the Shaun the Sheep in Kensington Place in the North Laine was spotted with a graffiti tag on its face.

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Shaun the Sheep statues near the Clocktower in North Street and the Pepper Pot in Queen’s Park were also damaged and removed.

The Shaun by the Sea art trail has been helping to raise money for the Martlet’s hospice charity with each of the statues set to be auctioned off for the fundraising initiative.

WPC Gracie with ACAB on its face (Image: The Argus)

Fatboy Slim visited several of the statues as part of half-marathon trail to visit the sculptures on Wednesday.

Martlets has urged residents to help keep the sculptures in “tip-top shape” so they can be enjoyed throughout the trail, which will end on November 5.

People can scan each Shaun on their phone to get offers and earn rewards.

The money raised by the art trail will help Martlets continue its vital service.

Martlets provides essential care to people affected by terminal illness in Brighton and Hove, and surrounding areas. They provide care and support, helping patients and their loved ones to live life to the full during the precious time they have together.

Since opening in 1997 Martlets has supported 34,000 local people.