A POTENTIALLY ‘priceless’ piece of stonemasonry believed to have been stolen from a church in Warwickshire has been found by police.
The sculpted block of stone, which is believed to have been taken from a church in the county between the summers of 2011 and 2014, was recovered as part of a complex investigation named Operation Icarus, being led by West Mercia Police.
The investigation, which has been running since 2013, has been successful in returning stolen items to churches around the country.
38 items have currently been identified and many have been returned to various locations around the country including Devon, Suffolk and Herefordshire.
Detective Inspector Martyn Barnes said: “Some of the items that have been taken are described as priceless because they are unique.
“Some of them may fetch tens of thousands of pounds on the black market; others go for £50, £60. We’re urging anyone who recognises the item pictured to come forward by calling 101.”
A 50-year-old man from Wales has been arrested on suspicion of theft in relation with the incidents and is currently on bail until late September.
Anyone who recognises the item featured is urged to call West Mercia Police on 101 and ask to speak to DC Lewis in Hereford Proactive CID, quoting Operation Icarus.