A frustrated dad's decision to hide an Apple AirTag inside a loose stone led police to a Wigan man who stole around 30 stones worth £7,000 from an 18th-century wall in Lancashire.
Matt Smith, 43, a Rufford and Holmeswood parish councillor and father of two, came up with the plan after police said they could not help solve a series of thefts along a half-mile-long stretch of road connecting the towns of Holmeswood and Rufford.
Around 30 stones went missing from the wall, which is thought to have been built around 1730 for the Grade II listed Rufford New Hall. The hall was later converted into a hospital in the 1900s, and after it closed in the 80s, it was refurbished, split in half and turned into luxury apartments.
Community Takes Action After Police Unable to Help
Matt, who runs a landscaping business, M.Smith Gardens & Landscapes, said worried locals noticed stones had been taken from the wall in May 2025. Two further raids took place in June and October.
He originally reached out to Lancashire Police, but a spokesperson said they were unable to help as the area had no "CCTV coverage" or "forensic opportunities".
Matt and other residents first put up signs saying "smile, you are on camera", but he said that failed to deter the criminal. They also considered installing their own CCTV cameras but said it would have been "too expensive".
AirTag Plan Leads to Arrest
After the third attack on October 4, Matt asked permission from the wall's owner, outdoor maintenance company Green Belt, to take a loose stone and attach an AirTag. He said: "We were hoping the stone would be taken and lead us to the exact address of the person taking them."
On the morning of October 25, Matt said he woke up to notifications on his phone revealing the stones had been stolen overnight. He then contacted police with their whereabouts.
The South Rural Task Force from Lancashire Police attended the scene and found a "substantial amount" of coping stones from the wall worth approximately £7,000. Matt claims dozens of others were also found from across the country, making the estimated total value up to £40,000.
Suspect Sentenced at Wigan Magistrates Court
Craig Barker, 41, of Tan House Drive, Wigan, was arrested and charged with one count of handling stolen goods and two counts of theft, which he initially pleaded not guilty to. He changed his plea to guilty on all offences on May 19.
He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for 22 months, at Wigan Magistrates Court on October 16. He was also given a 22-month probation requirement and fined £587 for court costs.
Matt said it was "very satisfying" that Barker was "brought to justice" and the community's effort was "worth it". He reinstalled the stones alongside Anthony James Construction in December last year, which he said was a "great Christmas present for the villages".
PC Sean Dalby, of the South Rural Task Force, said: "This type of crime has a significant impact on rural communities, both financially and emotionally.
"This case highlights the strong relationships we have developed with our communities and demonstrates the effectiveness of working together to tackle rural and heritage crime. I would like to thank the local residents for their support throughout the investigation, as well as those who gave their time to rebuild the wall free of charge."
Mark Harrison, Head of Heritage Crime at Historic England, said: "The successful return of these historic coping stones demonstrates the important contribution that local communities and the police can make to safeguard our heritage. Traditional stone walls are an intrinsic part of the Lancashire landscape and their protection helps to maintain its distinctive character for future generations."
