CRIME victims were hoping to be reunited with lost treasured possessions today when millions of pounds of stolen antiques went on display at York's National Railway Museum.

Roy Philpott, marketing officer for North Yorkshire Police, wih some of the recovered antiques which today went on display in York Picture: Steven Bradshaw

York police, who organised the two-day long exhibition, were being joined by TV antiques expert Eric Knowles and other figures from the arts world.

A special episode of the Antiques Roadshow was being recorded at the CGU-sponsored event.

Everything from jewellery - including a £1.2 million necklace recovered by West Yorkshire Police - to large garden ornaments was going on show.

York is the first force outside London to organise such an exhibition, and DC Jacqui Williamson, who has spent months bringing together the Aladdin's cave of stolen property, said she hoped it would become an annual event.

"It is true that many of the items on show are of worth a great deal of money," she said.

"But more importantly they are of great sentimental value to their owners, who have often had them in the family for a long time.

"Whether a statue is stolen from the grounds of a stately home or a wedding ring is taken from somebody's flat, the feeling of loss and violation is just the same.

"We want the public to know that we do care about them and appreciate how distressing it is to be burgled.

"We are continually working to get their property to back to them, and this exhibition is just another way of doing that."

Craig Fraser, CGU crime check manager, said the company, which is Britain's leading insurer of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes, was delighted to be able to sponsor the exhibition.

"This is an invaluable opportunity for everyone, who has suffered a burglary," he said.

"I hope the showcase provides a happy ending for many visitors by reuniting them with their stolen property."

Security experts and companies specialising in marking property were also be on hand to give advice about protecting property and explain what could be done to trace stolen items.

Visitors were able to discuss the latest developments in alarm technology.

Entry to the event, which began at 10am today and was expected to run until 4.30pm today, was free.

The show will be held for a second day from the same time tomorrow.

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