Pigeon sculpture found as police probe vandalism

One of the pigeons had been removed from its plinth

A bronze sculpture of a pigeon thought to be stolen from a street in Edinburgh has been found - after it was handed to a local café.

Craig Jones Rowley spotted the bird on its side on Elm Row after he said it was "hacked" from its plinth on Sunday.

He gave it to a friend who works in the nearby café for safekeeping before the artwork was reported missing to the council on Wednesday.

Police initially investigated the bird's disappearance as theft but are now probing its removal as an act of vandalism.

City of Edinburgh Council said it was co-operating with the investigation.

The birds, created by sculptor Shona Kinloch, were introduced to the area in 1996 before being removed ten years later.

They were reinstalled in July upon completion of the extension to the city's tram line down Leith Walk.

Mr Rowley said it was clear some kind of tool was used to damage the sculpture

The damaged bird has since been returned to the council for repair after it was traced to Cafe Elmrow.

Mr Rowley, 54, who owns Dean Jones Hairdressing on Elm Row, said he was "disappointed" to see the sculpture damaged on its return.

He said: "It just seems a bit pointless. I don't know who damaged it or why.

"I believe it has been hacked and cut with some kind of tool. They weigh a lot, it would have to be kicked with some force to take it off.

"They are such a pleasant wee bit of street art. I don't really understand why it would be damaged and then just dumped there."

Police probe

Each of the bronze sculptures weigh up to 20lb (9kg).

They endured several instances of theft and vandalism for a decade before being removed altogether in 2006 during initial moves to extend the city's urban rail network to Leith.

The birds were later refurbished and completely recast prior to their return.

The council's transport and environment convener, Scott Arthur, said the sculpture would be reinstalled as soon as possible.

He said: “Of course, this is still a case of vandalism, which we take very seriously.

"We will continue working with Police Scotland to assist investigations into this crime.”