December 2009

Thames Valley Police is appealing for help from the public to try and recover a collection of figurines, which were stolen from a house in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes.

Sixteen Royal Doulton, Coalport and Royal Worcester figurines, many limited editions, were stolen from a house in Welland Drive while the owner was away on holiday. A neighbour noticed the front door wide open and reported the burglary to police on 27 November.

Also taken was a 50-year-old diamond engagement ring, which had been given to the victim by her aunt.

Det Con Sam Reynolds, leading the investigation, said: "The victim collected the figurines over a period of twenty years. Many of them are limited editions and are numbered; this number is unique to each one so they are easy to identify.

List of missing figurines:

Coalport 'Nell Gwynn'  - Coalport 'Lillie Langtry - Coalport 'Emerald' - Coalport 'Sapphire' - Coalport 'Lady Alice - Royal Worcester 'Royal Debut' - Royal Doulton 'Sophie' - Coalport 'Flamenco' - (numbered 553) - Royal Doulton 'Lady of the year 1999' - Royal Worcester 'Sarah' - (numbered 321) - Coalport 'Lady Helena' - (numbered 11319) - Coalport 'Lady Harriet - The Skater' - (numbered 11362) - Royal Worcester 'Midnight Encounter' - (numbered 185) - Royal Worcester 'Zoe' - (numbered 20) - Royal Worcester 'Gypsy Princess' - (numbered 248) - Royal Worcester 'Joy'

"I would ask members of the public who may recently have bought a figurine like the ones described, to check this list and make sure you haven't been sold one from the stolen collection. I would urge anyone who thinks they may have bought one of the figurines or been offered the opportunity to purchase one, maybe at a lower price than you would normally expect to pay is asked to contact Det Con Reynolds at Milton Keynes police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505.