A MAN has admitted taking a plastic shark’s head from Hove Lagoon as a “prank”.

The shark’s head was taken from the water where the pedalos are kept on Friday evening.

Pictures of a man, accompanied by a woman, carrying a shark’s head along the road were later shared on social media.

In a statement, Sussex Police said: “The suspect has been traced and admitted taking it as a prank.

“He said he abandoned it along the seafront.

“He has agreed to compensate the owner and apologise and officers have asked him to try and find the shark’s head.”

Jamie Heal, who owns the attractions at the lagoon, said: “Whoever took the head waded out into the middle of the water and ripped it off the island.

“Various things have been stolen or damaged here in the past week.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, our gorilla was taken and the head of the crocodile was smashed up.

“They were part of the adventure golf attraction.

“A parrot was also ripped from the pirate’s shoulder, then on Friday night the shark’s head was taken from the water.”

A ten-year-old boy approached a man holding a shark’s head.

Mr Heal said: “The boy asked him ‘Why are you doing that?’ and he said, ‘It is my daughter’s, she made it at school’.

“We try to keep things nice for the children and it’s going to cost quite a bit to replace them.

“I don’t want to press charges,

I just want it all back and an apology.”

Danny Stockland, co-owner of the Big Beach Café at Hove Lagoon, said: “What’s been amazing is the reaction on Facebook.

“We asked the person who took the photos if we could use them on our page and they have been viewed and shared thousands of times.

“People really wanted to find whoever took it and name and shame them.

“It’s great community spirit.”

The pictures on the Big Beach Cafe page have been viewed more than 75,000 times and shared at least 1,000 times.

Anyone with information on the shark’s whereabouts should call The Argus on 01273 021400.