Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the statue was found dumped in East Park and was safely recovered in one piece. Photographs showed the statue in the back of a police van during the rescue. The force had earlier appealed for information, saying, "Please look after Paddington.
" A spokesperson said officers are reviewing CCTV and enquiries are ongoing. It remains unclear who stole the statue or what the motive was, and no arrests have been reported. The statue had been reinstalled only last week after being repaired from vandalism last month.
The pair's actions were 'the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for'.
On April 12, vandals damaged the statue and destroyed its bench in the city centre. The bench was restored thanks to funding from BB Merchants, and the statue was temporarily stored at the GO! Southampton offices before its return.
uk, Stephen Manion, executive director of GO! Southampton, described the community's supportive online comments and said the statue's return showed how much Paddington means to the city. He also thanked BB Merchants and the Garden Society for their support.
It's great to see Paddington Bear back in the heart of the city bringing joy to passers-by.
uk, Neil Fillbrook of BB Merchant Services said he was saddened by the vandalism and wanted to offer tangible help, adding that Paddington's message of kindness and politeness resonates today more than ever. The statue, unveiled in October 2024, is one of 23 Paddington statues installed across the country for the cinema release of Paddington in Peru. It stands 42 inches high and features Paddington with a red hat, blue overcoat, and a marmalade sandwich.
In a separate incident, two RAF engineers admitted to destroying a Paddington statue in Newbury in March 2025. Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 23, tore the statue apart during a drunken night out at 2am on March 2, and it was later listed on Facebook Marketplace. District judge Sam Goozee said their actions were "the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for".
We've seen lots of supportive comments online from those keen to have him back.
The Southampton statue's theft follows a pattern of similar incidents, raising concerns about the security of the public art installations. The community has rallied around the statue, with many expressing relief at its safe return. Police continue to investigate the theft, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.
The statue had been previously removed after being targeted by vandals, and the bench on which it was seated was also targeted in the city centre. The restoration of the bench was made possible by BB Merchants, and the statue was kept at the GO! Southampton offices during the repairs.
It really shows just how much he means to the community.
The statue's theft and recovery have drawn attention to the vulnerability of public art, but the community's response has been overwhelmingly positive. The incident in Newbury, where the statue was torn apart and listed online, highlights a broader issue of vandalism against the Paddington installations. The Southampton statue, with its distinctive red hat and marmalade sandwich, has become a beloved symbol in the city, and its safe return has been met with widespread relief.
Paddington has become one of the city centre's gems ever since he settled to tuck into his signature sandwich outside Westquay in 2024.
Thank you to BB Merchants and the Garden Society for their support reinstating the statue to its former glory.
I was saddened to hear of the vandalism to the bench.
As a locally based global employer, I wanted to offer tangible help rather than comment about how dreadful it was.
If you're kind and polite, the world will be right.
I'm with the righteous bear on this and it's such an important message that resonates today more so than ever before.