Treasure box discovery by couple in Barking traced to crime victim owners

It’s not everyone who would give up a treasure chest of Asian Gold, but one good-natured couple’s “impressive public spirit” meant a stolen horde could be returned to its rightful owner.

After discovering a jewellery box filled with more than 100 gold bangles of the precious metal, a couple living on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking immediately contacted police.

The discovery started a search for the gold’s owners who were eventually traced via an old bank cheque also in the box. They had been the victims of a burglary in North Finchley a few days before the lucky find on January 17.

Sgt Andy Larkin of Longbridge Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: “The couple who originally found the jewellery box demonstrated impressive public spirit.

“Jewellery is often of great sentimental value and thanks to the good nature of this couple and the diligence of PC Mahoney and PCSO Ross a victim of crime will have her jewellery returned to her.”

After the box and its contents have been examined by a forensics expert they will be returned to their owner.