JK Rowling's publisher has confirmed the suspected theft of two copies of the new Harry Potter book.
A statement said: "JK Rowling and Bloomsbury confirm that a copy of her latest book appears to have been stolen from the printers' premises in Suffolk.
"The police have been notified.
"Legal steps are being taken to prevent any part of the book being unlawfully disclosed in advance of the book's publication date to avoid disappointment to readers."
The first editions were reportedly found dumped in a field in Bungay, Suffolk, more than six weeks before the fifth instalment of the series is officially published.
The copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix were reportedly found a quarter-of-a-mile from Clays Ltd, a firm which will print hundreds of thousands of copies of the new book.
PA