Appeals for owners of ‘unique’ stolen jewellery to come forward

Luke Jacobs Friday, January 11, 2013
7:00 AM

Expensive south Asian jewellery and ornaments have been seized in a police investigation into stolen goods.

A jewel-encrusted gold ring in the shape of an owl. Picture: Met Police

A jewel-encrusted gold ring in the shape of an owl, a statuette of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, possibly made of silver or platinum, and coins featuring Hindu images were among the haul recovered by the Met’s Operation Maxim at addresses in Streatham and Southwark.

It is thought the items were stolen from homes across the country.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Ian Gibson said: “Many of these items are unique.

“Some feature engravings of names and what we believe is Hindi script. There are a number of items, featuring Hindu and other religious imagery.

These gold coins feature Hindu images. Picture: Met Police

“Given the unique nature of these items, we suspect that they are family heirlooms or ceremonial pieces, and that they will hold sentimental value for the owners.

“We would urge anyone who has had something like this stolen to look at the photos, even if they have never lived in London, or have moved away from the capital.”

Anyone who recognises their stolen goods is asked to email MaximAppeal@met.police.uk or contact DS Gibson on 020 8649 3980.

Two men, both 49, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and bailed to return to a south London police station later in January