Two historic bronze busts have been stolen from a park in Adelaide’s CBD, with the vandalism linked to a statewide rise in metal theft.

A bust of suffragist Mary Lee was snatched off from its plinth on North Tce near the Government House sometime between June 26 and July 2.

Police said another bust of sculptor, painter and teacher John Stuart Dowie was also stolen from its plinth on North Tce outside the State Library.

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said aside from vandalism, thieves were damaging artwork and “stealing the metal to sell”.

“One of the challenges across every local council area is that they’re out … often in the dead of night, pinching wires around our lighting on sports fields,” Ms Lomax-Smith told ABC Radio on Thursday.

“They’re taking plaques on heritage buildings. They’re taking whole statues.”

She said the thievery was a “visible sign of metal theft” occurring across Adelaide.

“It’s really an enraging situation because … everyone thinks a bit of vandalism is not going to harm anybody very much, but it makes the city look less attractive.

“It costs money and it’s not a victimless crime. Someone has to pay and it’s ratepayers, and it’s not just happening in Adelaide.”

Ms Lomax-Smith said it would be challenging and costly to replace the busts.

“This is an act of vandalism that costs us time, money and energy. But also it’s not just artistic activity that’s damaged,” she said.

“I’m really shocked that people are managing to strip the wires out of the overhead lights in the parklands.”

The Mary Lee bust was created by Patricia Moseley – who recently died – and revealed in 1994, while the John Dowie bust was unveiled in 2006 and created by John Woffinden.

Last year, the Attorney-General Kyam Maher introduced a new legislation last year, to put stronger controls on scrap metal dealers.

“It’s an issue for the whole of local government,” Ms Lomax-Smith said.

“We don’t want this to be a hobby for people who see it as an easy way to make a little money. It’s not easy.”

Police are now investigating and reviewing CCTV and Ms Lomax-Smith hoped someone would be “caught and prosecuted”.

“It is possible that people avoid cameras or they have hoodies or they keep their backs to the camera. There are lots of tricks and it’s costing ratepayers money across the state,” she said.

Police are urging anyone with information on the thefts or whereabouts of the stolen public artworks to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.