Henry Moore sculpture theft: Crimewatch appeal response slow
Police say they remain hopeful of catching thieves who stole a Henry Moore sculpture worth £3m despite a slow response to a Crimewatch appeal.
The 7ft tall Standing Figure was taken from Glenkiln Sculpture Park near Shawhead, in October.
Det Insp Colin Burnie made a renewed appeal for information on the BBC television series earlier this week.
A Police Scotland spokesman said that despite a low number of calls they were confident of tracing the thieves.
The figure had been on public display, along with three other Henry Moore pieces, for many years before it was taken.
Det Insp Burnie told Crimewatch: "It is obvious that there has been considerable force used to remove it from its location."
He said that suggested that "several persons" had been involved in its removal.
He said it might have been stolen to order or sold as scrap metal.
A £50,000 reward for its recovery has been offered by local landowner Sir Henry Keswick, who created the sculpture park.
A Police Scotland spokesman said they remained optimistic of catching the thieves despite the fact that the Crimewatch appearance had generated little initial reaction.
"We are still hopeful that somebody does make that call," he said.
"There is a substantial reward for information leading to its recovery which was successful in a previous Henry Moore theft."