John O'Sullivan, a 20-year-old man from High Street in Barkway near Royston, has been charged with multiple theft offences after police linked him to the disappearance of historic streetlamps and lanterns valued at about £1 million.
Charges and court date
Hertfordshire police say O'Sullivan faces 38 theft charges connected to incidents spanning Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Durham, Essex and the Thames Valley area. In addition, officers record a further seven theft offences relating to incidents in Hertfordshire that took place between 17 September 2025 and 17 March 2026.
O'Sullivan is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates' Court on 5 August.
What was stolen and what was recovered
Investigators say the missing items include lanterns taken from a range of sites — council buildings, businesses, places of worship, schools and private owners. Among the losses were a number of 1950s Grade II‑listed streetlamps known locally as Richardson Candles, which were removed from Cambridge city centre.
As part of the inquiry, officers located and recovered roughly 300 lights at a property in Barkway during an operation in January 2025.
- Suspect: John O'Sullivan, 20, of Barkway
- Charges: 38 theft counts; plus seven Hertfordshire theft offences
- Recovery: About 300 lights found at Barkway property (January 2025)
- Notable items: Grade II 1950s "Richardson Candles" taken from Cambridge
- Court: Stevenage Magistrates' Court, 5 August
Wider investigation and other arrests
The thefts are alleged to have occurred across several police force areas. Authorities say items were taken from a variety of public and private sites, prompting a multi‑force investigation. Two further people, both in their 60s, have been charged with handling stolen goods.
The breadth of the alleged offending — and the recovery of hundreds of items at a local property — has raised questions about how historic street furniture is stored and protected, and the logistics behind a cross‑county theft operation. Local councils and police forces will now consider how best to prevent similar incidents and how recovered items can be returned to their rightful owners.
Summary table
| Detail | Figure / Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | John O'Sullivan, 20, of Barkway |
| Number of theft charges | 38 |
| Additional Hertfordshire offences | 7 (between 17 Sep 2025 and 17 Mar 2026) |
| Items recovered | About 300 lights (Barkway property, Jan 2025) |
| Notable items taken | Grade II 1950s "Richardson Candles" from Cambridge |
| Court date | Stevenage Magistrates' Court, 5 August |
Police investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information about the thefts, or who believes they may have lost lanterns or street furniture during the period named by officers, should contact the relevant force.
