The medals including a double Victoria cross which were stolen from a New Zealand museum late last year have been returned thanks to a $300 000 dollar reward. It’s nice they’re back, but the cost is too high.

Waiouru Museum director Ray Seymour said he hoped the thieves “don’t get one goddamn cent” of the reward.

I have to agree with him and the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, presumably does too. She’s quoted as saying: “You didn’t want to set up expectations for the future that if someone stole something and then gave it back they would be paid for it.” What happens when they’re stolen again? Does the reward now mean that all Kiwi heritage is a target to the enterprising criminal?

The ransom payment could also have major consequences for museums in the UK. The bulk of the money came from Lord Ashcroft, Deputy Treasurer of the Conservative Party. I couldn’t say if the Conservative party will make it official policy to buy off criminals when they get into power.