Wenlok Jug Found

26 September 2012, 10:56 | Updated: 27 September 2012, 11:32

A 600 year old metal jug worth £750,000 has been found, four months after it was stolen from Luton's Stockwood Discovery Centre museum.

The Wenlok Jug (right), which dates back to the late 13th Century, was stolen from a high security display cabinet during a burglary on Saturday 12 May 2012.

It's made of bronze, stands is 31.5cm tall, weighs 6.1kgs and is decorated with coats of arms and badges.  It's inscribed with the words 'MY LORD WENLOK'.

Bedfordshire Police say the jug was discovered at a property in Tadworth, Surrey, early on Monday 24 September 2012.  Two people were arrested.  One was subsequently charged with handling stolen property.  The other was released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Barry Townson, who is investigating the burglary, said: “We are, of course, delighted that the jug has been recovered and will be returned to its rightful home but the investigation continues into how it came to be in Surrey and who was responsible for the burglary. I would like to re-appeal to anyone with information about the burglary to come forward.”

A Stockwood Discovery Centre spokesman said: “We are thrilled that the Wenlok Jug has been successfully recovered and would like to thank Bedfordshire Police for their diligence and hard work over the course of the investigation. We look forward to this irreplaceable piece of local history returning to Stockwood Discovery Centre and the community of Luton.”

Anyone with information about the burglary or how the jug came to be in Surrey can contact DS Townson at Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 01582 473190, the non-emergency 101 number or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.