Olympians make desperate pleas after London 2012 medals are stolen during party

Two of Britain's Olympic winners have reportedly had their medals stolen, only hours after the Queen hosted a glittering Buckingham Palace event to celebrate London 2012 athletes.

Rower Alex Partridge and hockey star Hannah Macleod took to social networking site Twitter to appeal for information to find their Olympic bronze medals which they believe were taken in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Partridge, 31, who won bronze as part of the men's eight rowing team, tweeted that his Olympic blazer as well as his medal had been stolen from an event in Mayfair, central London.

Macleod, under the username hannahmacleod6, also wrote on the site: "My medal was also stolen at the same time. Totally devastated."

She added: I'm not after punishment. If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn't yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey."

Both athletes later published a photo of a man captured on CCTV who they wished to talk to about the alleged thefts.

Scotland Yard confirmed it was investigating reports of a stolen Olympic medal and blazer from an event in Mayfair. However the force had not yet been contacted about a second stolen medal, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.

A host of Olympic and Paralympic stars were invited to the palace on Tuesday to mark their achievements along with the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron and London 2012 chief Lord Coe.

A Met spokesman said: "An Olympic medal and blazer were reported stolen from a venue in Mayfair in central London.

"It was believed the items were taken between midnight and 5am on Wednesday, October 24."

Officers are continuing to investigate the incident but no arrests have been made, the spokesman added.

Macleod, 28, achieved bronze at London 2012 after Team GB's women's hockey team beat New Zealand to secure a medal.

In a statement, Macleod said: "I'm absolutely gutted that my Olympic bronze medal has been stolen. Winning it in August was an incredible highlight for me and for this to have happened is simply shattering.

"While it means everything to me it has no value to anyone else, and I just hope that whoever took it can hand it in or leave it somewhere that means I can get it back. I just want it back.

"I would like to thank everyone - my friends and family, the media and the general public - for their overwhelming support of me and Alex Partridge. The response has been incredible."

She asked anyone with information to contact police, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

PA