A life size bronze figure of a stag has been stolen from outside the charity-run Horder Centre in Crowborough.
The much-loved sculpture is considered a mascot of the orthopaedic hospital and stood on a plinth near its entrance.
Police are investigating the disappearance of the statue, which was last seen on Sunday, January 7.
The stag, originally bought from a local antiques company in 2011, was fixed down and although thieves managed to remove it, part of the statue’s leg was left in place.
The Horder Centre is run by charity Horder Healthcare and is based on the edge of the Ashdown Forest.
Atmosphere
Richard Fenner, from Horder Healthcare, said: “The bronze stag has been associated with the Horder Centre for many years and is well known to all our patients and visitors.
“If anyone has any information, we would urge them to contact the police as soon as possible.”
He added: “The stag was a symbol of how the hospital connected with the surroundings, creating an atmosphere that reflected the peace of the forest.”
No value of the stag has been released.
Sussex Police can be contacted on 101.
