Appeal to reunite stolen MBE with rightful owner

West Midlands Police (WMP) are appealing to the public to help reunite this MBE with its rightful owner.

The MBE was presented to the officers by an offender taking part in the No Crime Program as part of their strict conditions.

After inspecting the award, officers discovered that it had been awarded by King George V and so they believe it is something that may have been passed down through a family generation.

Police tried to find where and when the MBE was stolen but were unable to establish these details.

WMP is now reaching out to the public to try and help restore this prestigious award back to its rightful ownership.

The Crime Free Team targets individuals who are involved in prolific, non-violent theft offences. Participants receive a deferred sentence and enter an intensive community sentence plan tailored to their individual needs.

As part of the program, the individual is given the opportunity to admit to a prior crime and must return the stolen property, and through this I was able to receive my MBE back.

PC Paul Welch, of the Crime Free Team, said: “This MBE is potentially over 80 years old and so we believe it could have been passed down by whoever actually received the award.
“We have tried to contact potential owners and have also spoken to St James’s Palace but have so far been unable to identify the owner.

“It’s a prestigious award, so we’d like to reunite it with its owner.”

Anyone with information or anyone who thinks they can help is asked to contact West Midlands Police via live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or call 101 anytime. citing crime reference number 20/514878/23

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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