Detectorists frustrated after treasures go missing

Metal detectorists have said they were left frustrated and disappointed when coin hoards, axe heads and ancient gold jewellery they found went missing after being handed to authorities.

At least 12 treasure cases from Cumbria and Lancashire have been subject to a three-year police investigation after they went missing from museum authorities in Preston, where they were supposed to be assessed.

Metal detectorist Peter Major, from Barrow, said he had taken up the hobby for his mental health but the ordeal had put him off.

Lancashire County Council, which dealt with the items, said it was committed to "rebuilding confidence by continuing to work transparently with affected parties".

When metal detectorists discover a treasure, the items must be reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme run by the British Museum, which has regional offices.

Major and fellow detectorist Chris Linton reported their respective finds, which were logged at the Lancashire County Council Museum service in Preston in 2020.

Once the items are assessed for their historical and monetary value, they are offered to museums for sale, with proceeds split between the finder and landowner. If no-one wants them, they are returned to the finder.

When the pair failed to hear any updates about their finds two years on, they said alarm bells started to ring and that was when they found out some items were missing.

Linton had found more than 60 13th Century coins during a dig in Penrith.

"It was amazing, it's what you dream of," he said.

"All the detectorists were coming off [the field] because nothing was coming up and then I came across the first hammered silver coin and then another and another."

In a 2022 email from the Lancashire Museums service, it was reported the Treasure Registry at the British Museum had requested an object from Preston be sent up to London for analysis.

At this point, museum staff in Preston discovered it was not there.

Further searches revealed as many as 12 sets of registered artefacts and their casework files were missing.

Lancashire Police began a formal inquiry in 2022, which led to an individual being arrested and bailed and some of the artefacts recovered. The force did not respond to a request for comment.

In February 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not be bringing charges.

A spokesperson for the CPS said the legal test to charge the suspect with an offence was not met and its decision had been reviewed last December.

They said: "An independent review was carried out by a prosecutor not involved in the earlier decision, who concluded that the original decision not to authorise charges was correct."

Linton said what had happened was frustrating and he was concerned about the preservation of the history of the items, rather than the potential earnings lost.

"It's maddening and it's upsetting a lot of people - detectorists who take a lot of time, money and effort and do the right thing," he said.

Lancashire County Council said it fully recognised the concerns raised by metal detectorists.

"We understand how important it is for finders and landowners to have confidence in the Portable Antiquities Scheme," a spokesperson said.

Major was missing a horde of silver coins as well as three axe heads found near Aldingham.

While the coins were eventually returned to him, he said he was getting unclear messages regarding the axe heads.

"I don't go out as much now because of all this, I've not been on a dig for over a year," he said.

He said he felt authorities were making him "jump through hoops" for clarity.

"I took this up for mental health, I did get a bit angry in a couple of emails because I wasn't getting any answers."

The council said some items held by the police had been returned to it around Easter and staff had since been "working at pace to assess, catalogue and return items to those affected".

A spokesperson said work was also ongoing to identify other items still held by the police.

They said: "Importantly, the council has reviewed and strengthened its procedures for the handling and storage of finds in consultation with the British Museum, and updated national guidance has also been issued to ensure robust safeguards are in place."

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