A fibre glass full size replica of a black and white Fresian cow – thought to be worth around £1,000 and described as a ‘local icon’ – was stolen from a Fenland garden.

A fibre glass full size replica of a black and white Fresian cow – thought to be worth around £1,000 and described as a ‘local icon’ – was stolen from a Fenland garden.

Police said they received a report of the “rather unusual theft” from Ramsey Forty Foot that the owners believe was stolen between 5pm on Wednesday and 4pm on Thursday.

A police spokesman said the suspect(s) entered the rear garden of the house in Ramsey Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, and took the cow.

“The replica was stolen from a property that overlooks the River Nene and is described as somewhat of a local landmark,” said the spokesman.

Anyone who has information is asked to call 101 quoting crime reference CF0139990318.

Details of the theft – released via social media by Huntingdonshire police – prompted a backlash from some disgruntled residents.

One man said: “While this post was put together for a plastic cow another tradesman’s van was broken into and his livelihood stolen.

“But you keep detecting them plastic cows and wondering why public support of the police is at an all time low.”

Huntingdon police responded by pointing out “that we investigate any offence where there are viable lines of inquiry.

“However, in the case of theft from vehicles, there are often few lines of inquiry (forensic evidence, CCTV, witnesses etc) and the tools are often not unique and very easy to sell on without raising suspicion.

“This isn’t helped by the fact that over the last few years, there has been a big increase in the use of online marketplaces.

“We do have some successes in terms of arrest and charge of suspects for this crime type, but the reality is crime prevention and security measures are the most effective way of combating this issue.”

Police also responded to another posting that claimed “in most cases you get given a crime number via telephone call and that’s the end of it.”

A police spokesman told him: “Sorry but with all due respect that’s not correct. All crimes reported are reviewed and either first time filed (if there are no lines of inquiry) or they are allocated for investigation by the relevant team.

“We don’t get it right 100 per cent of the time, but we certainly endeavour to do out best.”

A family member said of the missing cow “we miss is very much. Our Forty Foot icon has gone”;