A Hertfordshire man has been charged after police say 45 streetlamps and ornate lanterns with an estimated combined value of about £1 million were taken from across England.
Charges span several counties
John O'Sullivan, aged 20 and of High Street in Barkway, near Royston, faces 38 counts of theft connected to incidents reported in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Durham, Essex and the Thames Valley area. Hertfordshire police say there are a further seven theft offences linked to incidents in the county between 17 September 2025 and 17 March 2026.
Historic lamps among items taken
Investigators say the haul included lamps taken from councils, businesses, churches, schools and private properties. Among those allegedly stolen were 1950s Grade II listed streetlamps known locally as Richardson Candles which were removed from Cambridge city centre.
Recovered stock and further charges
As part of the inquiry police report they recovered roughly 300 lights at a property in Barkway in January 2025. Two people in their 60s have also been charged with handling stolen goods; local reports identify them as Anna O'Sullivan, 66, and Richard O'Sullivan, 67, both of High Street, Barkway. Court listings state John O'Sullivan is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates' Court on 5 August, while Anna and Richard are scheduled to appear on 12 August.
- Items reportedly stolen from a mix of public and private sites.
- Incidents span multiple police force areas, prompting a wide investigation.
- Historic street furniture was among the alleged targets, raising heritage concerns.
Local impact and background
Thefts of public lighting have practical and cultural consequences. Replacing or restoring ornate and listed lamps can be costly and time-consuming for councils and organisations tasked with preserving historic streetscapes. Police enquiries into where the recovered lights came from and how they were moved around several counties are ongoing.
| Key detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | John O'Sullivan, 20, High Street, Barkway |
| Charges | 38 theft counts plus seven further offences linked to Hertfordshire |
| Recovered | About 300 lights at a Barkway property (January 2025) |
| Court dates | 5 August (Stevenage Magistrates' Court) — main defendant; 12 August — two others |
Police enquiries remain active and forces across the affected counties have been involved as officers work to establish the full extent of the thefts and identify any further victims. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is being asked to contact the relevant police force.
