Officers aim to get thieves’ haul back where it belongs

A treasure trove of gold and pearl earrings, bracelets and bangles have been recovered by officers who are now desperate to return people’s stolen belongings

The recovered property was found in various locations, including a number of retail premises in Edinburgh.

Detective Inspector Keith Mackay, from Lothian and Borders Police, said the recovered loot is unquestionably of value – both emotionally and financially – to its owners.

He said: “A number of distinctive items of jewellery have been recovered as part of this inquiry, and we are hoping  to be able to reunite the  stolen property with its rightful owners.

“Anyone who recognises these items as their own property should contact Lothian and Borders Police by emailing [email protected]”

The recovered items include a pair of diamond-look drop earrings, a pair of gold framed floral design earrings with  diamond-look stones and a pair of gold framed floral design drop earrings with diamond look stones.

The booty also includes a gold framed necklace with diamond-look stones and a floral pendant; a pearl necklace; a gold bangle with diamond-look stones; and a fine gold chain with gold locket pendant.

“The locket is plain on the back with a floral design on the front, there is no image inside it,” a police spokesman said.

Other items include a rectangular link gold chain with diamond-look stones throughout and three drop pendants with the same design; a pearl twist necklace with gold screw fastening and a sgian dubh kilt knife with a wooden handle and a silver circle at the bottom of the handle. This comes in a leather sheath.

Earlier this year the News revealed how almost five homes a day were broken into in the Capital during 2011.

However, this alarming statistic does still reflect a 20 per cent drop in the number of reported housebreakings over the preceding two years – from 2100 in 2009 to 1700 two years later.

Niddrie was the worst-hit Edinburgh district, with 50 break-ins; Hillside, off London Road, was second with 49; and affluent Blackford was third, with 46 homes raided.

Police chiefs say a database of known burglars has helped snare career criminals and elevated the force solvency rate to 56 per cent – 15 per cent higher than the last two years.

Preventative policing and dedicated housebreaking teams are also said to have played significant roles in deterring crime.

We exclusively revealed earlier this month how at least 13 homes owned by Asian families have been targeted by burglars.

In each case, thieves stole hauls of gold kept in the homes. The break-ins took place in the Drumbrae and Silverknowes areas of the city. One victim told us: “All of my family’s gold and jewellery was taken.”

The haul of items highlighted above was recovered by officers probing housebreakings in Haddington, East Lothian and Pathhead, Midlothian, last month.

• Two men, aged 34 and 31, have been arrested and charged in connection with alleged thefts. They have appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.