CCTV released of man police want to speak to over stolen £250,000 violin

Stephen Morris left his antique violin on the London Victoria to Orpington service when he got off at Penge East on October 22.

A 310-year-old violin worth £250,000 which was accidentally left in a train’s luggage rack has been stolen, police have said.

Stephen Morris left his antique violin, made by craftsman David Tecchler in 1709, on the London Victoria to Orpington service when he got off at Penge East on October 22.

The musician had appealed for its safe return, saying it was ‘devastating to lose the instrument I’ve been playing for 20 years’.

On Wednesday, British Transport Police said another man had taken it as the train approached Bromley South, and then got on a connecting train to St Mary Cray.

The force has released a CCTV image of a man that they would like to speak to.

Anyone who can identify the suspect or has seen the violin, which was in a white case, can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 1900092343.