Violin worth £250,000 returned to owner after going missing during train journey

A 310-year-old antique violin worth £250,000 which was stolen from a train in London has been returned to its owner with no damage.

Professional musician Stephen Morris, who said it was "devastating" to lose the instrument made by craftsman David Tecchler in 1709, reported the violin as missing on October 22.

He said he left the violin on the London Victoria to Orpington train when he got off at Penge East.

Tweeting the news that the violin had been returned, Mr Morris wrote: "My violin is home safe and sound! Thanks for the overwhelming support."

Overseen by plain-clothes police officers, the instrument was handed over to Mr Morris at a car park in Beckenham on Friday evening after a suspect was identified.

The man who had the violin reportedly apologised and said he had made a mistake.

Mr Morris said: "I feel a bit battered and bruised. I haven't had a great deal of sleep since it went missing.

"He was very apologetic, he said he wanted to hand it to me in person."

British Transport Police had previously said a man had taken the violin as the train approached Bromley South, and got on a connecting train to St Mary Cray.

Police released a CCTV image of a man they believed to be connected to the incident; a person then sent a direct message to Mr Morris on Twitter who identified him.

BTP said it would be taking no further action against the man, as he had contacted Mr Morris and handed the violin back.

Mr Morris said: "It couldn't have ended in a happier way."