Beloved Bracknell stag sculpture damaged by 'wanton vandalism'

Resident Ken Toogood described the statue as "a bit of a local icon", especially popular with parents and children

Antlers on a life-size stag sculpture were sawn off in a spate of "wanton vandalism", a resident has said.

Clean cut marks can be seen towards the base of each antler on the monument in Savernake Park, Bracknell, suggesting they were deliberately removed.

Ken Toogood, one of those to spot the damage, said those responsible must have been "clandestine" and it looked "premeditated" given the use of tools.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Thames Valley Police.

Savernake Park is renowned for its stately, mile-long avenue of beech trees.

Its facilities and features include a popular play area and interpretive sculptures of a deer, mushrooms and seeds.

Mr Toogood said the deer sculpture in particular was "a bit of a local icon".

'Heartfelt'

"You often see parents taking pictures with their kids sitting on it or standing near it," he said.

"It's sad to see it in such a state. This is just wanton vandalism."

Swinley Forest ward councillor Patrick Smith said it was part of a concerning "pattern" of similar recent incidents.

"The damage to the deer sculpture is the one that's most concerning to people and heartfelt," he said.

The council's head of natural estates, Stephen Chown, said it was speaking with the company that had supplied the sculpture to find out if it could be repaired.

"The council has funding for general site maintenance so we're hopeful the cost of any repairs will be covered," Mr Chown said.

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