Police are investigating the disappearance of a larger-than-life American cop.

The 7ft-tall model was a popular sight outside Compass Cars in the centre of Standlake, near Witney. He carried a sign saying: "We make sure there are no robbers here."

On Tuesday, garage owner Carlton Simmonds placed him outside as usual, but said: "Some time during the morning I saw an elderly lady trying to cross the road with a couple of cases and as the road is very busy I went to help her across.

"I was only gone a couple of minutes and when I got back our American cop was gone. Someone must have taken him in a pick-up or van as he is pretty big.

"He cost £700 and obviously we would like him back," he added.

Story date: Thursday 11 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.