In the heart of the English countryside, two communities are grappling with an unexpected holiday twist: the theft of cherished Christmas decorations that, for years, have brought neighbors together in festive cheer. As the season of goodwill unfolds, these incidents—one in the Cambridgeshire village of Spaldwick and another in the town of Loughborough—have left locals both saddened and, in some cases, determined not to let the Grinch steal their spirit.
On the evening of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the picturesque village of Spaldwick was dealt a blow to its holiday traditions. According to BBC News, Doug and Liz Pecarski, longtime residents known for their elaborate holiday displays, discovered that one of their beloved giant nutcracker models had vanished from outside their home. The towering figure, standing three meters (about 10 feet) tall and inspired by German folklore, was more than just a decoration—it was a symbol of the village’s collective joy.
Security footage provided a clear timeline of the theft. At around 8:00 PM GMT, a car pulled up to the Pecarskis’ home. Two individuals emerged, managed to untether the massive nutcracker from its spot beside the garden wall, and—with considerable effort—dragged it over the wall and into their vehicle. The thieves even attempted to steal the second nutcracker, but its weight proved too much, and they left it behind. “The sheer strength it required—they're very heavy,” Liz Pecarski told reporters, marveling at the audacity and determination of the culprits.
The Pecarskis have been decorating their house, inside and out, for several years, transforming it into a local landmark each December. Their festive enthusiasm, Liz explained, was inspired by childhood memories: “I clearly watched Home Alone as a child,” she said, referencing the classic Christmas film. The display is more than a personal passion; it serves as a fundraiser for the Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester, where Liz volunteers. Over time, the decorations have become a point of pride for the community, drawing visitors and donations alike.
Doug Pecarski described the theft as "a bit of a gut punch as we do this for charity and joy and they've managed to affect the community in taking it." The loss, he said, “stripped away some of the joy” of Christmas in Spaldwick. Yet, he and Liz have refused to let the incident dampen their spirits entirely. “For us it hasn't tempered any of the Christmas joy. Inside the house it's still as wild as ever. But outside, yes, this will affect it,” Doug admitted.
The community’s response was swift and heartwarming. The night after the theft, the Pecarskis heard a commotion outside their door. When they opened it, they found two miniature nutcracker guards and a card from local children. The message read, “we clearly needed two additional guards to protect us and they were sorry to see our loss.” While the gesture brought comfort, Liz confessed, “We've got a lonely nutcracker—he wants his mate back.” Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed the theft was reported and are investigating, though as of publication, the giant nutcracker remains missing.
Just hours later and some 70 miles away, a similar scene unfolded in Loughborough, Leicestershire. At 8:26 PM, Zoe Murray—mother of ten—was at home when a thief struck. Doorbell footage captured the moment a hooded figure approached her front porch, yanked a six-foot Christmas tree from its stand, and sprinted off down the road. “I didn't hear a thing and when I stepped outside—my tree was gone!” Zoe recounted, still incredulous at the boldness of the act, as reported by BBC News.
It wasn’t until 10 PM, when Zoe left to collect her daughter from work, that she realized the tree was missing. On returning home, she checked her Ring doorbell’s live feed and was “stunned” by the footage. The decorations and baubles, many of them holding sentimental value, were found scattered along the street—most damaged, but one miraculously intact. “I was mainly worried about the decorations as there are some special ones. All but one were broken, so I was happy to get them back,” Zoe shared.
In a twist of fate, the tree itself was found dumped in a nearby park the next day, after a local resident spotted it and commented on the Facebook post Zoe’s daughter had shared. Zoe and her grandson retrieved the tree, but it has not returned to its place on the porch—perhaps a sign of lingering caution. “There are two smaller trees on either side of my porch. I don't know he went for the big one and not the two smaller ones. I reckon it was a dare—like a mate put them up to it. But I'm glad to have it back,” Zoe said, reflecting on the strange logic of the theft.
The incident was reported to Leicestershire Police, but, as of early December, no arrests have been made. The lights on the tree were destroyed, “ripped into five separate parts,” Zoe noted, underscoring the senselessness of the act. Still, the recovery of the tree and most of the decorations offered a small silver lining.
Both communities have been left to ponder the motivations behind these festive thefts. Were they the result of holiday mischief, opportunistic crime, or something else entirely? For the Pecarskis, the loss is felt not just personally but as a blow to their charitable efforts and the collective joy of Spaldwick. For Zoe Murray, the theft was an unwelcome disruption but one that, thanks to community vigilance, ended with the return of her tree—albeit battered and unlikely to stand guard outside again soon.
What’s clear in both cases is the resilience of the communities affected. Neighbors rallied, children offered comfort, and social media played a key role in both raising awareness and facilitating the recovery of stolen property. As the holiday season continues, the message from Spaldwick and Loughborough is one of perseverance: even when the trappings of Christmas are taken, the spirit of togetherness and goodwill remains remarkably hard to steal.