Stolen Cartier watch back with owner

The unnamed 49-year-old, whose watch was stolen two years ago, is the latest victim to be traced by officers probing the discovery of almost 500 items during raids at addresses in Essex and east London in July.

The objects, thought to have been stolen during armed robberies, household burglaries and other thefts across the south-east of England from 1994 to late 2010, include other rare and collectable watches, as well as high-value jewellery, antiques and silverware.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, the 49-year-old woman encouraged others to visit a Flickr website set up to reunite crime victims with their property.

The Flickr page, containing over 150 images, allows the public to search through pictures of the stolen items to try to identify anything that might belong to them.

A 73-year-old man arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods in July has been bailed.