THE OWNER of a valuable first edition Harry Potter book stolen last month, said he has been left ‘stunned’ after police refused to return it to him.

Adrian Greenwood said he was relieved to learn police had tracked down the rare signed copy of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone, after thieves walked off with it from the Creative Art Gallery in Woodstock, on October 30. A man and a woman arrested in connection with the offence have been bailed until December 21.

The publicity surrounding the theft meant a number of collectors contacted book dealer Mr Greenwood, and he was eager to make the most of the coverage. But when he spoke to officers earlier this week, he was told he could not have the book back as it was evidence.

He said: “I was stunned really.

“They told me I couldn't have my book back until the case got to court, and couldn’t tell me when that’d be.”

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber confirmed the book was being retained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. But she added: “The officer is now preparing a file to be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and the force legal department asking for the return of the book prior to any criminal proceedings taking place.

“If the return of the book will not affect future proceedings, it will be returned to its owner.”