Statue of Jane Austen

I was walking along the banks of the Itchen today and came across this bronze statue which I had no idea was there. Would you actually call this a statue? Anyway there was also one of Matt Le Tissier who played for Southampton FC for many years and Pete Waterfield who was a diver and came from Southampton. I think the link between Jane Austen and Southampton is a bit tenuous but it made for a nice photo.

The only downside was the amount of rubbish people had left there, beer cans, crisp packets etc. I don't know why they cant find a bin or take it home.