Kidnappers' bizarre reindeer ransom threat

Festive thieves snatched a reindeer decoration - and then issued the owner with a ransom demand for the safe return of Blitzen. Shotton florist Christine Small has no idea who swiped her 2ft-high wooden reindeer from outside her shop.

But the mystery thief left a chilling note demanding cash and warning what would happen if they did not hand over the money.



Minutes later a woman made a phone call to the Friar Street business renewing the threats but Christine and her daughter Sarah Atchinson are yet to come face-to-face with the culprit. As the day progressed, the kidnapping case grew stranger.

At around 2pm, three hours after the disappearance of the piece, it was returned to the shop by a taxi driver who said he had found it grazing on the green. It was placed next to its 'Mum' again but the thief then snatched it back minutes later.



Christine said: "The reindeer had been put out for sale, and my daughter was there, and we just saw this piece of paper on the floor with a twig stuck to it. The printed ransom note reads: "We have your reindeer. If you want to see her again we want £56.60."

Inspector Paul Harrison, of Peterlee Police, admitted it was an "unusual incident". He added: "Although this reindeer has been taken in what some would consider joke circumstances, it is in law a theft. We will be dealing with this incident accordingly."