Two people have been arrested after a Christmas statue was stolen from outside a business.
The 5ft figure went missing from outside the front of Luke Allum Funeral Directors in Sheerness, Kent.
Owner Luke Allum said the nutcracker brings festive joy to children in the town as it sings to pupils as they leave school.
He said the company always tries to do something during the weeks up to Christmas, adding local children loved the singing nutcracker this year.
Mr Allum told The Mirror: "We always try to do things for the town at this time of year with our Tree of Remembrance to honour loved ones and a remembrance post box for children to post Christmas letters and cards to loved ones in heaven.
"This year we decided to get a big nutcracker outside that sings to kids. We put it on at about 3pm so it sings on their way home from school.
"They literally love it, it sings to them, they take pictures with it."
However, when the team from the Funeral Directors were out at a service on Thursday afternoon, the figure was taken from the porch of the business.
The nutcracker statue was stolen from outside the shop
|KENT POLICE
Mr Allum added: "You think why have you stolen a nutcracker, out of everything?"
He reported the incident to police and shared it on social media.
The community rallied around the business, receiving dozens of messages of support from the community who shared their upset at the news.
He said he does not want money however would like to have the nutcracker returned, adding: "We bought that in September, trying to get a nutcracker now is impossible."
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The Kent funeral directors are asking for the statue back
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An appeal has been launched by detectives from Kent Police, who are appealing for witnesses to the theft and said they hope to be able to return the nutcracker, which is valued at £250.
A spokesman from Kent Police said: "The figure, which is approximately five feet tall and has a value of £250, had stood in front of a funeral home to make visits more welcoming for bereaved people. Two men, a 59 year old and a 39 year old, from Sheerness have been arrested in connection with the theft.
"Detectives are now seeking anyone who might be able to assist their investigation and see the safe return of the stolen property to contact them.
"Anyone who may have relevant information or CCTV footage should contact Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/208343/25."