In a brazen act of theft that has shocked the local community, a bronze statue commemorating legendary boxer Teddy Baldock has been stolen from a park in east London. The incident occurred on Sunday night in Langdon Park, Poplar, where the statue was forcibly removed from its stone plinth.
Police Release CCTV Images of Suspects
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the theft at 8.07pm and have since released CCTV footage showing four suspects at the scene. All individuals were dressed entirely in black clothing with their faces covered, making identification challenging for investigators.
According to police statements issued on Tuesday, the perpetrators "wiggled" the statue free from its mounting before loading it onto a three-wheel cargo bicycle. They then concealed the stolen monument beneath a high-visibility jacket. Notably, no tools were observed being used during the operation.
Community Distress Over Local Hero's Treatment
Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Tower Hamlets, described the incident as "very distressing" for the community. "To have a monument of a local hero treated this way is deeply upsetting for residents who hold Teddy Baldock in high regard," he stated.
The detective superintendent confirmed that officers are "working at pace to identify those responsible" and will pursue every available line of enquiry. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that might assist the investigation.
The Legacy of Teddy Baldock
The stolen statue commemorates Teddy Baldock, known affectionately as "The Pride of Poplar." Born in Poplar in 1907, Baldock achieved remarkable success in his boxing career, becoming Britain's youngest world champion of the modern era at just 19 years old.
In 1927, he defeated American fighter Archie Bell at the Royal Albert Hall to claim the vacant world bantamweight title. Baldock remains the only British boxer to win a world title during the 1920s, holding both the European Champion and British Bantamweight Champion belts from 1928 to 1931.
His professional record included 73 wins from 81 fights before he retired at the unusually young age of 24. The statue was erected in Langdon Park in 2014 following a successful fundraising campaign led by his grandson, serving as a permanent tribute to the area's sporting hero.
Investigation and Community Impact
The suspects were last seen traveling northbound toward Bromley-by-Bow underground station following the theft. The empty plinth now stands as a stark reminder of the missing monument, with its plaque still describing Baldock as "The Pride of Poplar."
This incident has raised concerns about the security of public monuments and the respect shown to local historical figures. The community of Poplar, which has long celebrated Baldock's achievements, now faces the loss of a significant cultural landmark that represented their area's rich sporting heritage.
British Boxers, an organization dedicated to the sport's history, noted on its website that "it is unlikely that any London boxer has enjoyed a larger following than did the popular East Ender." This statement underscores the profound impact Baldock had during his career and the continued reverence he commands decades after his retirement and passing in 1971.
