More than 600 Christmas children's Christmas presents were stolen from a community Santa’s grotto.
The gifts were housed in buildings at a bowling green in Eastville Park, Bristol, after Father Christmas was unable to deliver them on Sunday.
Volunteers had planned their first winter wonderland-themed event of the festive season, but it was cancelled due to high winds.
The wrapped presents were being stored at the bowling green while they made alternative arrangements.
But horrified locals called the police after discovering thieves had targeted the presents overnight on December 9.
Police are now investingating.
In a message posted on Friends of Eastville Park Facebook group, Andrew Gee said the burglary has “knocked us for six”.
“Particularly upsetting is the loss of over 600 wrapped children’s presents along with a selection of drinks, some catering equipment and a room heater.
“We are currently looking at CCTV footage from the car park area in the hope that something might come up.
They added: “I’ll take a while for us to bounce back – but we will,” they said.
Volunteers fear the thieves made off in a vehicle “due to the quantity of items taken”, leaving through the back gate of the bowling green on Fishponds Road at the junction with Royate Hill.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they are investigating and urge the public to come forward.
A force spokeswoman told the Evening Standard:“We’re investigating a burglary in which a large quantity of presents, as well as food and cooking implements, were stolen from a building within Eastville Park sometime between 4pm on Monday December 9 and 10am the following day.
“We’d appeal for anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity around the building between Monday evening and Tuesday morning to contact us on 101.
“We also want to hear from anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the stolen presents.”
