Shropshire burglary victims reunited with stolen jewellery
Three Shropshire burglary victims have been reunited with their stolen property after police seized a hoard of jewellery worth thousands of pounds.
Officers investigating a series of house burglaries in Shropshire and neighbouring areas appealed for victims to get in touch after recovering around 100 gold, silver and other precious jewellery pieces from a safe during a search warrant at a Bridgnorth home.
The total value was thought to be more than £10,000 and pictures of some of the more distinctive pieces were released in support of the appeal.
Detective Constable Alan Dean, from the Shrewsbury Burglary Unit, said: "Three victims from the Bridgnorth area have been reunited with their jewellery as a direct result of our appeal.
"They were absolutely delighted to have it returned, having given up hope of seeing it again. One victim identified three rings, including an engagement ring and a further 13 items were claimed by the other two, most of which had immense sentimental value".
He said the appeal had brought an overwhelming response, with around 50 people coming forward. "It was painstaking work going through the checks, but well worth it with these three successes.
"Tracing these owners will form an important part of the investigation and I am grateful to everyone who got in touch."
DC Dean said the jewellery was found by officers when a search warrant was conducted at a house in Bridgnorth 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 included wedding rings, dress rings, engagement rings, necklaces, gold sovereigns, lockets, bracelets, crucifixes, brooches, earrings, watches and tie pins.
