"Ol' blue nose" has police on vandal hunt

A blue moustache was crudely scrawled onto the face of St Cuthman, whose sculpture sits in Fletcher's Croft, overnight on Monday.

The Herald learned yesterday that indelible ink from the marker pen used in the attack will have to be removed by a professional industrial cleaning firm, after attempts to scrub it off failed.

PC Mike Dowling, of Steyning police, said: "It is such a shame. We were dismayed and disappointed that the statue had been defaced by vandals. We urge any witnesses to this damage to contact us."

The St Cuthman statue, which overlooks St Andrew's Church, was created by artist Penny Reeve as part of the Steyning 2000 celebrations.

It was one of several projects to commemorate the millennium, including the sundial between the library and Steyning Museum, in Church Street.

St Cuthman's effigy has been a target for vandals in the past.

It was covered in paint three times in as many weeks last autumn, as well as suffering a broken nose.

Speaking to the Herald yesterday, Inspector Merv Wyeth, of Steyning police, said: "We are desperately sorry that we are back here again with the statue and are determined to do what we can to catch the culprits."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Horsham District Council community safety hotline, on 01403 215186, or PC Dowling, at Steyning police station, on 0845 6070999.