Police find family's treasured heirlooms by chance - 10 years after burglary

A couple who lost treasured jewellery and a 1930s cycling medal in a burglary 10 years ago have been reunited with their valuables after a police dive team chanced upon the property at the bottom of a pond.

A British couple who lost treasured jewellery and a 1930s cycling medal in a burglary 10 years ago have been reunited with their valuables after a police dive team chanced upon the property at the bottom of a pond.

Isabelle Larson said she had "lost hope" of ever seeing the valued belongings, which also included her uncle's inscribed watch, ever again.

Officers from Scotland Yard's dive team found the stash in a carrier bag at the bottom of Slade Ponds in Greenwich, south east London, on April 20 while investigating another case.

Mrs Larson's daughter-in-law saw details of the haul in the local press and prompted her mother-in-law and father-in-law Stanley to contact police.

Mrs Larson, from Oxted in Surrey, said: "I was amazed when my daughter-in-law said she's seen a police appeal with pictures of my father's cycling medal and uncle's watch.

"I saw the pictures myself and recognised the items straight away; it's wonderful news. After all this time I had lost hope of ever seeing these items again."

The stolen items, which were taken in a burglary in October 2005, included a cycling medal awarded to Mrs Larson's father in 1937, and the watch that was given to her uncle in 1972 for 40 years' service with the South Eastern Gas Board.

Pc Steve Morgan, from the dive team, said: "Mr and Mrs Larson were delighted and very grateful to be reunited with their property, which has great sentimental value.

"A decade after these items were stolen it was a privilege to be able to meet them and give back these items, which have such meaning to the family."