Avon and Somerset Police are looking for four people over the theft of more than 600 items of high cultural value from Bristol Museum. These include military memorabilia, jewellery, natural history pieces and carved figurines in ivory, bronze and silver from the British Empire and Commonwealth collection housed in the Cumberland Basin archives in this south-west English town. The theft occurred on September 25 and had not been reported until now.
According to the BBC, the stolen items also included East India Company military badges and pins as well as jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and rings. Also missing are sculpted figures and other decorative elements, as well as natural history objects, including geological specimens.
Investigators released images of four men captured by security cameras in the area to ask the public for help identifying them. It’s about four white men walking down a street. One of them appears to be walking with a limp in his right leg. Police also carried out forensic investigations and were in contact with the victims.
“The theft of numerous items of significant cultural value represents a significant loss to the town,” Detective Dan Burgan said in statements released by Avon and Somerset Police, adding that “these items, many of which were donations, are part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-faceted part of British history, and we hope the public can help us bring those responsible to justice.”
“The collection is of cultural significance to many countries and provides an invaluable testimony and insight into the lives of those who were involved and affected by the British Empire,” explained Philip Walker, director of culture and creative industries at Bristol City Council, which runs the museum. “These artifacts were part of a collection that documents the connections between Britain and countries that were once part of the British Empire from the late 18th century to the late 20th century,” he explained.
The theft occurred last September, a few weeks before the Louvre museum theft, which occurred on October 19. As we learned this Wednesday, the private security agents of the Parisian art gallery or even the police could have prevented the escape of the thieves for a period of only about 30 seconds, according to the conclusions of the administrative investigation opened following the event.
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