Robbery victims can reclaim precious items

The police have published a 200-page catalogue of objects stolen from all over France, and are inviting owners to reclaim them.

The catalogue, posted on the National Police website, contains watches, jewellery and precious stones which were recovered in March during an operation to smash a network of thieves and receivers of stolen goods.

Seventeen people were arrested and six, including the alleged brains of the network, have been charged and imprisoned.

The thieves gained access to homes under false pretences by pretending to work for a water company, the website explains. "They used the pretext of working on a building site in a nearby street, broke a water pipe, and then approached their victims to check the pressure and quality of the water in their home. While one of the perpetrators occupied the victim in the kitchen, another took the opportunity to leave the room and search the house."

As part of their investigation, the judicial police of Bordeaux and Lille travelled throughout France, visiting Mulhouse, Colmar, Chateauroux, Calais, and even Belgium.

Part of the booty was found in the Aisne, where it was being stored by the alleged leader of the gang.

The victims, mainly elderly people, are now invited to contact investigators from the judicial police in Bordeaux if they recognize their property in the catalogue.

The items can be viewed here.

They will require proof of ownership of the objects, which were stolen between 2011 and 2017.

Formal identification should always be requested from anyone seeking to gain access to your home.