By Jenny Barwise

Last updated 12:07, Thursday, 04 September 2008

Staff at a Workington shop were stunned after thieves stole 18 Betty Boop figurines.

Betty Boop

The figurines – worth £854.82 – were taken from Akitts Home Furnishings on Pow Street between August 14 and 25.

Workers decided to move the figures into the window display for last weekend’s Paint The Town Red event.

When they discovered that the current display on the shop floor had vanished, they went to check they were not in storage upstairs but discovered 18 empty boxes.

Manager Wendy Whineray said: “We are gobsmacked.

“We cannot believe that they are even missing.

“The odd one I can understand – but not 18.

“I cannot understand how they got out with them.”

The stolen figurines range in size, with the largest being 14 inches tall and the prices starting from £35.

Police are currently looking over the shop’s CCTV images to see if they can find out what has happened to the figurines.

The shop has stocked the Betty Boop figurines for more that 12 months as they are a popular purchase with shoppers.

They were on the top of a stand which had hanging voiles on it and were placed on top of mirrored cubes.

Ms Whineray said that she thinks people have taken the figurines over a few days, because she cannot see them being taken all at once.

“I can’t imagine anybody getting them in one go. I think they have done it over a period of time.”

Ms Whineray said that she wants to make other shops in the area aware.

If anyone has any information regarding the theft or has been offered the figurines for sale contact PC Wilson at Workington police station on 0845 33 00 247.