FOOTAGE has shown the bizarre moment a cut-out of a police officer was bundled into a van outside a village shop.
The figure, known as Alan, was taken from its spot outside Hanley Swan Village Stores on a sunny afternoon.
It had been in place for more than two years and will be familiar to drivers who pass through the village for displaying a “slow down” sign.
In the footage, shared by the shop, a person can be seen standing behind a van before picking up the figure and putting it into another van.
The person then gets into the van, before it is driven away.
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Gone after two years
THEFT: Alan the policeman has been outside Hanley Swan Village Stores for more than two years (Image: Google Maps)
Shop owner Sarah Kumar said it wasn’t until a staff member pointed out that Alan wasn’t in his usual place until a member of staff pointed it out.
“He’s been stood there as speed awareness for about two and a half years,” she said.
“We put him away every night when we close the shop.
“One of my staff went out and said ‘where’s Alan?’ so I checked the CCTV and realised he had been taken.”
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Not the first time
The shopkeeper said it wasn’t the first time a policeman figure has been stolen in Hanley Swan, with a similar one having been taken a year ago.
The thefts have left shop staff baffled and they now believe it is the last time they will see Alan.
“We have no idea why he’s been stolen,” Ms Kumar said.
“There was another one stolen at the other end of the village last year. I don’t know what they do with them.
“I don’t suppose we will ever see him again.”
