£5m stolen Yorkshire antiques recovered in raid

SINCE 2007, there have been more than 21 major thefts of porcelain up and down the country, with a further 15 attempted robberies.

Many of the thefts have been from stately homes and country houses, open to the public, which allows the gangs to carefully plan their crimes while posing as paying visitors.

In 2009, thieves struck at Sutton Park, near Easingwold – the home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield, parents of Samantha Cameron – stealing a Meissen teapot in the shape of a monkey and a bronze bust of an oriental woman, valued at £20,000 each.

Other Yorkshire landmarks targeted in recent years include Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall, Leeds, and Burton Agnes Hall, near Driffield.