A treasured historic fire station bell stolen from outside Thames Fire Station is ringing again.
The more than 150-year-old bronze bell made its way back to the local station on the Coromandel Peninsula on Friday, 1 August after it was tracked down to a scrap metal yard and returned in good condition.
The bell, dating back to 1869, was stolen from outside the station and reported to Police on 26 July.
Investigations began and CCTV footage showed two people swiping the weighty 73kg bell from its stand and fleeing on foot with it in the early hours of the morning.
Thames Community Officer acting Sergeant Gareth Carter says while inquiries were being undertaken police also received information from Fire and Emergency that the bell had been located at a scrap yard in South Auckland.
It was then returned to the Fire Station on Friday afternoon, much to the delight of the Thames Brigade.
“We work with Fire and Emergency closely and were also saddened to hear the bell had been taken, so we were thrilled that it was returned to where it belongs.”
Thames Fire Chief officer Greg Rendall says credit went to their Deputy Chief Fire Officer Siobhan Flanigan who emailed scrap metal yards in hope of information. She struck luck when the scrap metal dealer called to say he had the historic bell. He even delivered it back to the Fire Station.
“It’s great to have the bell back as it’s a piece of memorabilia and has a lot of history,” says Greg. “It gives you a bit of faith in humanity although it’s only the minority who do these types of things.”
Police have since charged a 34-year-old man with receiving stolen property in connection to the incident. He was arrested on Wednesday, 30 July, after police making inquiries in Thames went to a local property where several people were located on warrants to arrest.
Two people at the property were arrested in connection with a spate of shoplifting offences, while the 34-year-old man on warrants to arrest fled the property. He was subsequently located and arrested. He is due to appear in Thames District Court on 15 August.
“This is a fantastic outcome and Thames Police staff have done an excellent job in gaining information that has led to arrests,” says acting Senior Sergeant Lara Beisly, of Waikato East Police.
“Our staff have really good relationships with the local community and public who have assisted us in this case, and we appreciate the value of the community.”
As for the bell, its back at the station soon to be reinstalled at its post beneath the flagpole.