Thousands of valuables stolen in burglaries in Hertfordshire and beyond were put on Facebook and YouTube today (Monday) in an attempt to reunite them with their owners.

The valuables, mainly jewellery, but also including paintings and watches have been posted on the Herts Police social networking pages as part of Operation Pop, a national campaign to return the goods recovered by the force following an arrest by Herts officers on the M40.

It is thought the valuables amounting to around 5,000 pieces, much of it Asian jewellery, seized from a vehicle and at addresses in London and Chipping Norton was due to be sold for its high gold value at Hatton Gardens. Herts Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hanlon, in charge of the operation, said a “phenomenal amount” of property had been recovered.

“I am sure the majority of it will have sentimental value and some people may have believed they would never see their personal belongings again. It is our aim to reunite people with them. We have been advised that a lot of the Asian jewellery would have been made specifically for brides to wear on their wedding days.

“We are working with forces across the country as part of our investigations, which are ongoing at this time as it is important we can return these items. We have chosen to place photographs of the recovered items on the Herts Police Facebook page and a short video on YouTube to reach a nationwide audience as we truly believe these could have been stolen from anywhere in the country. We will also be using Twitter to update on the progress of the operation.”

The stolen goods can be seen at www.facebook.com/hertspolice and www.youtube.com/hertspolice. Follow the force on Twitter @HertsPolice.