THIEVES who smashed their way into a workshop to steal sculptures worth thousands of pounds are being hunted by police.
The raiders broke into the premises in Lastingham, on the North York Moors, sometime between 4pm on Sunday and 7am the following morning.
They removed a gate to the yard before smashing down a door and then using a power saw or something similar to break into a metal container.
They then stole a trailer - containing various tools - to escape from the scene with their haul.
Statues taken included a mythical beast, a baby bird, a sundial, birdbaths and a number of planters.
The total of items stolen was more than £8,000 and the damage caused during the break-in has been estimated at hundreds of pounds.
Anyone with information regarding any of the stolen property or those responsible should contact police on 0845 6060 247.
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