BBC Crimewatch features theft of historic York flagstones from Hopwood Hall Estate

Thousands of pounds' worth of York stone stolen from Hopwood Hall Estate

The theft of thousands of pounds’ worth of historic York flagstones from the Hopwood Hall Estate in Middleton has featured on BBC’s Crimewatch Live (Thursday 11 March).

Around 50 flagstones were been taken from the 12th century manor’s rose garden late last year – a heritage crime which carries harsher sentencing due to the impact of damage or vandalism to national heritage assets such as listed buildings like Hopwood Hall.
 

Read more: Reward offered for return of historic flagstones stolen from Hopwood Hall EstatePublished: 09 December 2020

The theft of the stones, which date back centuries, came as the 'Friends of Hopwood Hall Estate' had been working diligently to clear and prepare the historic family gardens and surrounding areas for renovation.

Other historical locations in Middleton were also targeted by flagstone thieves around the same time, including the Grade-I listed St Leonard’s Church and the Grade-II Olde Boar’s Head.

Hopwood DePree, who has been restoring the hall, said: “This follows on from the theft of flagstones from the historic Rose Gardens back last November, when we were contacted by a producer from Crimewatch to ask whether we would like to put together an appeal for information that might lead to the return of the flagstones.

“The appeal film was also approved by our Community Police Officer Stuart Ockwell. In early February, a crew from the Crimewatch came to the hall, filming interviews and a reconstruction of the crime.

“I dearly hope that this will lead to more information about the theft and potentially a return of the flagstones.”

The episode of Crimewatch – series 13 episode 4 – is available to watch on BBC iPlayer until 11.45am on Friday (12 March).

• www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000t3c5/crimewatch-live-series-13-episode-4