Detectorist finds stolen treasure on first outing

On 7 May 2021, detectorist Charles Cartwright was out detecting for the first time in a field in the Malvern Hills, Worcestershire. Charles says that his detector “went crazy”. He dug down a few inches and struck metal. It was a large silver jug. Inside the jug was an Aldi plastic bag and inside that was 271 other items. These items included Egyptian, Roman, Viking and Bronze Age relics, thought to be worth over £5,000.

On seeing the plastic bag, Charles realised that something was amiss and contacted the police. The police were able to trace the owner of the items as some still had the auction tickets attached to them. The owner, a lifelong antiques and antiquities collector, said the items had been taken when his home in Ludlow was broken into four years ago. He said that he offered Charles a reward, which he declined.

DC Tom Court, of West Mercia Police, said: “The metal detecting community have helped to reunite the rightful owners with the Roman and Viking jewellery and other treasure items.“