The baby Jesus figurine has been stolen from cribs set up in roundabouts in Xemxija and Zejtun, in what appears to have become an annual tradition.

The figurine in another crib, in Valletta, was smashed up in an apparent theft attempt: it was harder to steal than the other two.

The cribs are set up every Christmas by the Environment Landscapes Consortium, which tends to the landscaping of roundabouts and other areas of roadside greenery. They include wooden figurines of baby Jesus, the Madonna and St Joseph.

This year, it has set up 42 such cribs – 30 more than last year – across the island, only to see a number of them targeted by thieves or vandals.

“It is astonishing how baby Jesus figurines end up stolen or vandalised every year. This behaviour spoils people’s enjoyment of the decorations and also discourages the ELC, which does its utmost to create an appropriate environment for Christmas,” an ELC spokesman said in a statement.