A police officer's hat has been found after more than 20 years - in an Ibstock quarry.

Leicestershire Police reports that the constable - now a Superintendent - has been reunited with the headgear from around the turn of the century.

The force said: "When Police Constable Paul Allen lost his hat during a busy weekend shift in Leicester city centre around 23 years ago, he did not expect to see it again.

"But fast forward to May 2025 and a telephone call made to the now-Superintendent Allen would inform his hat had at last been found!

"And now, having made its way from Ibstock quarry - and with a bit of a clean up - the hat has taken pride of place on display in Supt Allen's office."

It was after returning to the station more than 20 years ago following a busy weekend shift that PC Allen realised his hat, which had been on the back seat of the police car, had been taken.

He said: "Of course, that meant cream cakes all round for my colleagues, but also a report to the Inspector to try and explain why I suddenly needed a new hat.

"Fast forward to last week and I was contacted by staff at the quarry looking for a PC 429. It was while collecting rubbish from the quarry that they had found a hat with PC 429 written on it – my hat!

"We've now been reunited and while I probably won't be wearing it any more, it does have pride of place on my shelves.

"I can only wonder where it's been for the last 20-odd years, but it's not in terrible condition and even has the old force badge still in place."