Hundreds of lamps recovered in theft investigation

Hertfordshire Police released images of some of the lamps it found, in the hope of reuniting them with their owners

A police force investigating the theft of three historical lamps from a city street has recovered almost 300 lights at a property.

Hertfordshire Police said it found 296 lights and lanterns at an address in Barkway, near Royston, on 11 January, and it was trying to reunite the streetlamps, or ornate fittings, with their owners.

Three fittings - known as Richardson candle lamps - were reported stolen last year in Cambridge.

An 18-year-old man from Barkway was arrested on suspicion of theft and has been released on police bail while investigations continue, the force added.

Richardson candle lamps should should sit at the top of the post

The Richardson candle lamps were installed on a number of streets in Cambridge in the 1950s.

The listed lanterns were taken at various times between about 13 September and 1 October 2024, from St John's Street and Trumpington Street.

At the time, Heritage England referred to the incidents as a "heritage crime".

PC Thomas Woollard, from the North Herts Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We believe the majority are from across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire and may have gone missing in the last six months.

"This is a unique case and significant investigations are being conducted into the items recovered.

"We have already made contact with local authorities and Heritage England.

"If you think some may belong to you, please get in contact."

A large selection of lamps were discovered, that were all different shapes, sizes and colours

The lamps in Cambridge were designed by architect Sir Albert Edward Richardson, who was commissioned to design bespoke new street lighting for the city in 1957, according to Historic England.

The vertical tubular lanterns became known as Richardson candles.

Nearly half of those installed in the 1950s have survived and all have Grade II listed building status.

They were based on a design that had been on show at the Festival of Britain in 1951.

One of the lanterns was removed from the top of a post in Cambridge city centre