POLICE are hunting two men they believe are behind the thefts of giant copper and bronze pinecones from the Gorbals.

As first told in the Glasgow Times, brazen thieves made off with the public artworks from McNeil Gardens in the early hours of Monday morning.

Cops now say they received a report at 12.45am that two men put the pinecones into a vehicle and drove off.

The sculptures, which also serve as bollards for traffic safety, are covered in copper casing and police believe they may have been taken to be sold or used for the copper. 

Sergeant Gary Bone said: “We believe the items may have been stolen so they can be stripped of their copper coating.

"I am appealing to people in the local community to get in touch with us as we work to establish what has happened to these structures.

"If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the incident, please pass your information on.”

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The pine cones are approximately two feet in height and are covered in copper casing.

On investigating the thefts, police found that a further seven pine cones from the Gorbals have been removed.

Police said it is unclear what has happened to these items but an investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Officers are in the process of reviewing relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area for any additional information it could be provide.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0130 of December 13, 2021.  

Alternatively, you can give your information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can remain anonymous.