A postbox topper in Headington has been snatched four days after its creator put it up "to generate a few smiles".

Jenny Harper, who works at The Woolhound in Oxford's Covered Market, created a shark postbox topper for the letter box on New High Street within sight of the iconic Shark House. 

She secured it to the postbox with cable ties on New Year's Day and left work contact details on the sign so she could be notified if it needed mending.

But less than four days later Radio Oxford tweeted: "UPDATE: There's been a sharknapping - the #Headington shark 2.0 is missing!"

And the creator has kindly issued some words of advice to whoever took the topper as it comes with a fire safety warning due to the material it is made from.

READ ALSO: Headington Shark recreated on Oxford's Headington New High Street

Ms Harper said: "Honestly, it's a shame because it was put there to make the community smile.

"But I'm taking it as a compliment because I make most of my things for my daughter and she just rejects them.

"But there's no need to steal things because at the Woolhound we can teach people to knit and crochet."

She added: "It's a risk you take when you put something out. I don't know who would want it. It would be absolutely soaking.

"And whoever took it, don't put it in the tumble dryer because it's full of fiberfill and will catch fire."

Ms Harper said she attached the postbox topper with cable ties which they must have cut "so they put a lot of effort into it".

And she won't be replacing it.

"If they want to they can put it back under cover of darkness," she said.

"The next one will be at the Covered Market and will be looked after by all the good businesses and traders."

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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