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Two of our dinosaurs are missing - head ranger

Martin Heath
BBC News, Essex
Raptors World Large green and grey model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex looking straight at the camera with its mouth open and teeth visible. He is standing on grass alongside adults and children at an event. A blue gazebo with yellow writing "Lions Club of New Milton" is visible to the right. Another light-coloured gazebo can be seen to the left. A young child in a pink T-shirt with a cartoon mouse on the front is looking at the dinosaur.Raptors World
Rexy is a friendly Tyrannosaurus Rex who likes meeting people for dinner

A business owner says he is "really heartbroken" about the theft of two animatronic dinosaurs.

The models were in a van stolen from a hotel car park in Thurrock, Essex.

They are used to entertain people at events across the country.

Tom Pruen, who owns Bristol-based firm Raptors World, said it was "really gutting that they are gone".

Raptors World is a small family business that hires out and operates lifelike interactive dinosaur models.

The creatures, Rexy and Yoshi, were in a van parked overnight at the Thurrock West Premier Inn as they were due to appear at The Destination at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock on Sunday and Monday.

Google A three-storey hotel building with light-brown render and small windows with bars across. There is a pale blue and black section at one corner with a purple Premier Inn sign and moon logo. There are trees in front of the hotel, and a road with a yellow box junction in the foreground.Google
The van was stolen from Thurrock West Premier Inn

Mr Pruen said he came out of the hotel at about 08:00 BST on Sunday to find the van had gone.

"I found out that the night staff had seen them drive out - they'd actually reversed into a BMW that was parked in the car park as well on their way out," he said.

"I'm truly gutted because the value for me is not in the van itself, [which] is insured, but the contents - the dinosaurs and all the set-up for us to be able to run the events - is much more difficult for us to replace."

Raptors World The mouth of a green velociraptor with black circle markings. It is open, showing white teeth. A group of children and a woman with glasses are smiling at the dinosaur.Raptors World
Yoshi likes adults and children, but cannot eat them whole

The dinosaurs cost between £5,000 and £10,000 each and Mr Pruen said it would be difficult to get the show up and running for next weekend's work with two key figures missing.

One of the missing creatures is Yoshi, a light green velociraptor, while Rexy is a dark green Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Mr Pruen, the company's "head ranger", said they would be useless to the thieves because "the minute they try to sell them, I will get sent a post saying there's a dino for sale".

He added: "I am really heartbroken about this, but I'm trying to keep a brave face and work out what I've got to do next."

Raptors World Tom Pruen in a black hat with a wide rim. He has short dark hair and beard and is wearing a green T-shirt. He has his hands under the mouth of Rexy, a green and grey animatronic model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. There is a green hedge in the background.Raptors World
Tom Pruen set up Raptors World eight years ago and said he was gutted to lose two of his best dinosaurs

Mr Pruen said he was willing to pay a reward for the safe return of the dinosaurs.

Essex Police confirmed a white Mercedes Sprinter van had been reported stolen from Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet.

"Our investigation is ongoing," it said.

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