Equestrian jewellery worth over £100,000 stolen at Great Yorkshire

Police are requesting information on four people in connection with the theft of equestrian jewellery worth over £100,000 from this year’s Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

A suitcase containing 2,140 pieces of gold, white gold and platinum equestrian-style jewellery was snatched from the show last Thursday, 10 July. Thieves slashed a marquee to make off with the case.

Well-known designer and jeweller Rosemary Hetherington, who specialises in equestrian-themed jewellery, said she lost her entire stock.

“We won’t now be able to trade at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. All my gold and diamonds have gone,” she said. “I’m absolutely gutted.

“We were loading the van and someone broke into the back of the marquee and stole the case. All the entrances were blocked, as three of us were loading the van. They slashed the ropes of the marquee.”

Ms Hetherington added: “They must have been quietly sitting there and watching us. We’re always very careful.”

Police were on the scene within minutes and have requested information on four people seen in the rural craft marquee.

One, a smartly dressed woman of about 28 years old, approximately 5ft 7in, with a dark complexion and long dark hair tied in a pony-tail. The second, a man also around 28 years old, of Mediterranean appearance with short dark hair, medium build and wearing a dark shirt and trousers. The other two were a man and woman of South American appearance, in their 20s or 30s. The woman had long dark hair and the man spoke with a South American accent.

Ms Hetherington said her jewellery is easily recognisable as it is hallmarked RH and some pieces are very distinctive.

“There’s a platinum horseshoe-necklace with diamonds, two rings with large Tanzanite (blue/purple) centre-stones surrounded by diamonds, with a matching pendant and a Jilton bracelet, interlinked with white gold and set on both sides with diamonds,” she said.

“People in the horse world know my work. It could be difficult to sell it on.”

Ms Hetherington urged customers with existing orders to get in touch at www.sculpturetowear.co.uk

If you have any information, contact Harrogate CID on 0845 6060247.

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