Traditional jewellery stolen from York woman

York police are appealing for witnesses after a woman had a large amount of jewellery stolen while shopping in the city centre.

The 41-year-old victim, who had just moved to the UK from Brunei, had the items in a black box in her handbag as she shopped on Thursday 2 August 2012.

At some point during the day the jewellery was stolen from her handbag which was hanging from the handle of her child’s pushchair.

The jewellery, which consists of traditional items from Brunei and Nepal, is quite unusual and is valued at between £4000 and £5000.

Officers are appealing to anyone who can help them locate the missing jewellery to contact the police or Crimestoppers with information.

PC Amy Littlejohns, of York police, said: “Our enquiries so far suggest that someone may have tried to sell the jewellery to a shop on The Shambles.

“With this in mind I am appealing to anyone else who has been offered some unusual jewellery for sale recently to come forward.

“This obviously an upsetting incident for the victim who is anxious to be reunited with her jewellery.”

The stolen items are described as follows:
•A traditional black and technicolour bead Nepalese necklace with a large, heavy square 24ct yellow gold pendant carrying an image of a tiger.
•Two 24ct yellow gold plain thin bangles. One is slightly thicker than the other.
•A set of pearl stud earrings with three diamonds set above a pearl in the shape of a crown.
•A concord ladies watch with a rectangular plain white clock face. The strap is made of silver and gold-coloured metal with a clasp fastening.
•An 18ct yellow gold ring with an oval cluster of tiny diamonds running across the finger and princess cut style diamonds running out from both sides of the oval surrounded by a waved shape of gold. The ring looks like an open clam.
•An 18ct yellow gold eternity ring with five diamonds.
•An 18ct white gold ring with a dome shaped cluster of tiny diamonds.

Anyone who has any information that could help officers locate the jewellery should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Amy Littlejohns or York police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12120131657 when passing information about this incident.