Paddington statue returns to its home in Newbury after it was stolen by two RAF engineers last month

He’s back!

Whoops, cheers and rapturous applause rang around Newbury yesterday (Wednesday) as Paddington was unveiled – again!

He is now sitting once again in pride of place in Newbury town centre.

The statue of the beloved bear from Peru was ripped from his seat outside Camp Hopson on Northbrook Street by two RAF engineers after a boozy day at the races at the beginning of March.

Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, admitted causing criminal damage and have since been sentenced.

Marmalade sandwiches were handed around, as hundreds of people crowded around the bench where he lives to see Ian Batho and Ashley Morris, from Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), reveal him to the town.

The day was dubbed ‘Marmalade Day’ and there was even a suggestion that it should become an annual celebration in the town.

Inspector Al Hawkett, from Newbury’s neighbourhood policing team, was at the unveiling along with his team of officers and special officers who quickly apprehended the perpetrators and recovered Paddington.

He said: “We were aware that Paddington played such a focal part in the community and realised we needed to work quickly to recover him.

“It was a good team effort on the part of the community, as a lot of people were messaging what they knew.

“All the local businesses were good at catching the CCTV and the taxi companies played a key part in it too.

“Without all these individual elements, it probably wouldn’t have turned out like it did.

“It is great news. We can see it clearly means something to the local community. We are pleased we were able to bring him back for the people of Newbury.”

Ben Beardmore-Gray, marketing manager at Newbury BID, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout and it is lovely to see so many people that have been able to share this wonderful moment in the centre of our lovely town.

“We are glad he’s back and we look forward to everyone being able to enjoy Paddington once again.”

Newbury MP Lee Dillon added: “It’s great to see Paddington back in Newbury and to see so many members of the community welcome him back home.”

Amy, from Kingsclere, was there with her children Rosie, six, and Gus, three and they had a front row seat to see the unveiling.

Rosie said it was great to see Paddington as she really liked him and it had made her sad when he was taken.

Gus added that he liked seeing Paddington, who was his favourite bear.

Akash, who stopped off on his lunchbreak to see the unveiling, said: “It’s nice to see it back again.”

Billy Drummond, chairman of West Berkshire Council, said it had been a “great turnout” in the town centre.

“It is fantastic to see so many people here,” he added. “And fantastic to see a smile on people’s faces.”

Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley’s Police and Crime Commissioner, was also there.

He said: “I think it just shows really good neighbourhood policing and that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s brilliant to see everyone here today to celebrate Paddington back in the town.”

Newbury’s bear was one of 23 statues of the marmalade loving bear, unveiled from John O’Groats to Land's End in October, ahead of the release of the film Paddington in Peru.

After the unveiling children from John Rankin School put on a musical performance, organised by Good Vibes Music Academy.

Newbury’s is the only statue that will remain in place in perpetuity, thanks to the town’s special link to Paddington’s author, Michael Bond.

He was born in the town and his mother worked at Camp Hopson, while his father worked for the Post Office.