Mouse figure stolen by 'rat' at opening day of Cambridge art exhibition

Artists are furious after a mouse sculpture stolen by thieves on the opening day of a popular art exhibition in Cambridge.

Organisers of the Cambridge Drawing Society Exhibition are disgusted and appalled after the theft on the first day of opening to the public.

A small ceramic sculpture of a mouse by the artist, Ann Gascoine, was stolen from the Pitt Building.

Ms Gascoine is one of the society's best-known sculptors and her sculptures are currently on sale in galleries in both New York and London. One of her models, a sculptured hen, was given as a present to Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire, the last of the Mitford sisters.

When the Duchess's personal art collection was auctioned at Sotheby's in March this year, the sculpture was sold for almost £6,000.

Janice Anderson, president of the Cambridge Drawing Society, said: "We are really fed up after the theft. It is very disappointing that someone would do this. Now we are looking at our security measure and sadly have to be more aware of the possibility of theft.

"We haven't reported it to the police because we don't see much point and don't want to waste their time. We would ask whoever stole the mouse to put it back.

She added: "Several hundred have already visited but we are saddened to realize that after this theft, we will be forced to have members watching visitors and guarding the works."

A police spokeswoman said: "We would urge anyone who has been a victim of crime to come forward and report it to police. We take all crime seriously and will investigate any reports we receive. In an emergency, always call 999, or for non-emergencies call 101. You can also report crimes at one of our police stations, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

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