POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a statue from outside the Ormeau Road Library in South Belfast.

It's believed the statue was taken some time between 7.35pm on Sunday (November 19) and 4.30pm on Monday.

The statue, which depicts a girl and a blackbird reading a book, went missing from a plinth outside the front of the building opposite the main entrance to Ormeau Park.

Police are appealing to anyone who may know of the whereabouts of the statue or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1325 of 20/11/23.

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown has called for the return of the statue.

“I cannot understand why anyone would want to steal this statue from the front of Ormeau Library," he said.

"Designed by the renowned artist Daniela Balmaverde, it has stood at the front of the library for a number of years and will be a familiar sight to those who use the library and everyone who walks by it on a daily basis.

In fact, I was just passing the library earlier this week and remarked how well the grounds looked in the autumn light, with the statue taking pride of place.

“This is a fantastic piece of art that we are lucky to have in the heart of our local community, so it’s really disappointing that someone has chosen to take it.

"I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious or knows anything about this theft, or has any CCTV from the area around the time it was stolen, to contact the police.

"We need to see this artwork returned to its rightful place outside Ormeau Library and I really hope that it is recovered soon. I would ask those behind this to think seriously about what they have done and to return it as soon as possible.”