Residents are demanding a vengeance most fowl for the callous thief who stole a handmade Feathers McGraw penguin figure from a Forest Town postbox display.

The bad egg has left scores of residents upset and resulted in super knitter Debbie Williamson, who has provided toppers for the last six years, to take the heartbreaking decision to no longer provide displays for the postbox.

Debbie started making the toppers for the postbox in Clipstone Road West during Covid to spread a much needed bit of community cheer and has made around 40 different displays over the years, many with giveaways for residents to take away with them.

The theft of ironically one of the franchise's best loved thieves has put a stop to the much loved tradition and left residents angry and upset.

The Forest Town community have been devastated by the theft

placeholder image — The Forest Town community have been devastated by the theft

Debbie who has lived in Forest Town for 28 years said: “This was my gift to the community so this person hasn’t stolen from me they’ve stolen from the people they live with and have hurt a lot of people for whom this brought a little bit of joy.

"They’ve been appreciated by (almost) everyone and have been the perfect distribution point for at least 1,000 giveaways made by the Forest Town Yarn Bombers and myself over those years.

"I’ve had thousands of comments and reactions from people on Facebook who are really upset and disappointed by this."

Debbie had hoped the thief would have a conscience and return her feathered friend but after putting a poster pleading for McGraw’s safe return on the postbox he is still no where to be found.

Residents are encouraging the thief to do the right thing and return Feathers McGraw

Debbie added: “I must admit when I removed the rest of the display and saw the postbox ‘naked’ for the first time in six years I did walk away in tears. ”It may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things but this was something that provided joy and a sense of community spirit and it’s really disappointing that it has ended this way.”

The postbox, positioned between two primary schools had also been a source of enjoyment for children who looked forward to seeing the latest creations.

Debbie said she may reconsider her decision to create the toppers if Feathers McGraw is returned.

She added: “If this person had just asked I would have made one for them, I’m busy but over the years I have made additional character for people who have requested them but to just take it, I hope that Feathers’s thief gets just as much joy from the one they stole as they have stolen from everyone in Forest Town, not just me. Their sense of entitlement is beyond me.

"The remaining pieces are going to be made safe, removing all the wires and skewers that make the characters withstand the weather. Once washed I am giving them to a local boy with autism who has expressed lots of excitement each time he’s passed on his way to and from school.”