Police seek owners of jewellery hoard found in Shropshire
A hoard of jewellery worth thousands of pounds has been seized by police investigating a series of burglaries across Shropshire and neighbouring areas.
But officers have been unable to trace the owners of around 100 gold, silver and other valuable pieces of jewellery discovered in a safe during a search warrant at a house in Bridgnorth.
The hoard is thought to be worth more than £10,000 and is likely to contain items stolen from up to 30 homes.
Detective Constable Alan Dean, from the Shrewsbury Burglary Unit, said: "We are delighted to have recovered these items but it's proving a difficult task to identify the rightful owners.
"I want people to come forward if they have been the victims of house burglaries during the past 12 months or so and believe some of this jewellery might be their property."
He said it was likely most of the burglaries had been committed in the Bridgnorth area, or within a 15-mile radius, including Highley, Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport.
"This is the area we are focussing on although it's possible some of the pieces were stolen from homes further afield.
"Anyone wishing to check with me should send me an email to alan.dean@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or they can call on 0300 333 3000 and ask for extension 5798."
DC Dean said the jewellery was found by officers when a search warrant was conducted at a Bridgnorth home on October 15. The items were in a safe which also contained several thousand pounds in cash and a quantity of Class A and Class B drugs.
The warrant was carried out as part of Citadel, the West Mercia Police initiative focussing on reducing burglaries and arresting offenders. Two men were arrested and remain under investigation.
He said the jewellery recovered includes wedding rings, dress rings, engagement rings, necklaces, gold sovereigns, lockets, bracelets, crucifixes, brooches, earrings and tie pins.
There are also a number of distinctive men's and women's watches of various makes, including Fossil, Armani, Lorus, Limit and Accurist.
DC Dean said: "I'd love to be able to give the jewellery back to the owners. Much of it must have massive sentimental value, such as the wedding and engagement rings. Some of it is quite old, probably antique, and may have been handed down as family heirlooms.
"We have already contacted likely victims from police records to no avail so now I need people to contact me if they think any of these items might be their's. They will need to be able to describe them in detail as proof of ownership."
