Vandals who removed the head of a beloved beachside sculpture at Glenelg South are being asked to return it with no questions asked.
Known by some locals as "Rusty", the Person Sitting on a Bench sculpture along the Esplanade was damaged at some point during the Christmas period.
City of Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson told ABC Radio Adelaide that other sculptures had also been tampered with.
"They've had a go at the pelicans as well," she said.
"They've actually walked up the Esplanade and had a concerted attempt at pretty much all of the sculptures down there, so it's extremely disappointing, but we're focused on trying to find the head at the moment."
Ms Wilson said she hoped it was simply a drunken escapade and those responsible were feeling remorse.
"Maybe they didn't realise how important that sculpture is to the people that live down here.
"We're hoping that if they just drop it off at the depot or they can direct message the council or Facebook or Instagram, there'll be no questions asked."
The council bought the sculpture by Ty Manning in 2011 following the Brighton Jetty Classic Sculpture event.
Mr Manning said it would be possible to make a new head for the sculpture if the original was not found.
"In the few years I've been doing it, we've only ever heard of one other client losing sculptures," he said.
"It's one of those things that you hope doesn't happen, but it's inevitable unfortunately."
