A teenager has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of three unique 1950s streetlamps from the centre of Cambridge. The disappearance of the lights was first noticed in October, leaving locals stunned as their streets were suddenly shrouded in darkness.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary previously said they received reports of three separate “street lighting lanterns” thefts on October 3, 8 and 24. A 19-year-old man from Barkway, near Royston, Hertfordshire, has now been arrested on suspicion of stealing the street lamps and has been bailed until April 1.
The tubular lights, designed and installed by architect Sir Albert Edward Richardson in the 1950s, are a unique part of Cambridge’s history. According to Historic England, Cambridge is the last UK city to retain custom-designed lighting stock from the post-war period.
Locals have speculated that the distinctive design of the ‘Richardson candles’ – brown posts with a long tubular light – may have made them a target. One was removed from outside The Fitzwilliam Museum, another from opposite the gate for St John’s College, and a third from next to Little St Mary’s Church.
A teenager has been arrested after unique streetlamps were allegedly stolen
(Image: James Linsell Clark / SWNS)
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “On October 3 we received reports that a lantern had been stolen from Trumpington Street between October 1 and the time of reporting.
“On October 8, we received a second report of a light being stolen from Jesus Lane between September 3 and 14. The third theft was reported on October 24, with a lantern being taken from St Johns Street between September 23 and October 23.”
In an update to the case on Monday (January 13), a spokesperson for the force said: “A 19-year-old man from Barkway, near Royston, Hertfordshire, has been arrested on suspicion of stealing street lamps from across Hertfordshire and Cambridge city centre. He has been bailed until April 1.”