CAMBRIDGE – Three iconic Richardson candle lamps, part of Cambridge’s rich street lighting heritage, have been recovered by police after being stolen last year.
The street lamps, designed by renowned architect Sir Albert Edward Richardson, were taken from Trumpington Street and St John’s Street in the city in 2024.
Two of these lamps were found among 296 lanterns discovered in a property in Barkway, Hertfordshire, earlier this month.
Hertfordshire Police confirmed that the historic lanterns, part of a haul of over 290 lights and fittings, were recovered on January 11.
The find was made at an address in the village of Barkway, near Royston, and has led to the arrest of an 18-year-old man from the area on suspicion of theft. The suspect was released on bail while investigations continue.
The Richardson candle lamps, designed by Richardson in 1957, are a distinctive feature of Cambridge city centre, giving the streets an elegant and historical character.
Their design, based on a lantern exhibited at the 1951 Festival of Britain, became a symbol of post-war architectural innovation.
Nearly half of the original Richardson lanterns installed across the city in the 1950s remain, each holding Grade II listed building status, a reflection of their cultural and architectural significance.
Historically, these lamps have been celebrated for their unique vertical tubular design, earning them the nickname “Richardson candles.”
According to Historic England, the theft of these lamps was not just a case of property loss but also an “apparent heritage crime,” as their removal from the streets robbed Cambridge of a key element of its architectural identity.
The lamps were stolen between September 13 and October 1, 2024. Hertfordshire Police’s discovery of the haul has sparked efforts to reunite the recovered street lamps with their rightful owners, as many of the lanterns are believed to have been taken from various locations across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire in the past six months.
Images of the recovered lanterns have been shared by Hertfordshire Police, showing a range of the stolen items, which vary in size, shape, and color.
Police Constable Tom Woollard, who was involved in the recovery operation, was photographed sitting beside several of the ornate lights in a warehouse. The lamps appear old and dusty, showing signs of their long history and exposure to the elements.
The recovery of the lamps has brought a sense of relief to the community, with many residents and local officials expressing gratitude for the police’s work.
The lamps were integral to the aesthetic of Cambridge, a city known for its centuries-old academic institutions and rich cultural history.
The city’s heritage, especially its architectural features, has long been a source of pride, and the theft of these lamps had sparked public concern.
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional stolen lights, particularly other historically significant lanterns, may be recovered in further raids.
As the investigation unfolds, Hertfordshire Police have urged anyone with information to come forward to help identify the origin of other stolen items.
The recovery of the Richardson lamps is seen as an important step toward preserving Cambridge’s historic streetscapes and ensuring that heritage crimes do not go unpunished.
With ongoing efforts to return the lanterns to their rightful places, local officials remain hopeful that the lamps will soon shine once again in their original locations.
