Police are desperately searching for more than 600 ‘high-value’ artefacts stolen from a historic British Empire collection.
The artefacts were taken from a building housing Bristol Museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection on September 25 this year.
A group of four unknown males broke into the building on Cumberland Road in Bristol.
The burglars took items including household belongings, personal papers, souvenirs and photographs of people who lived and worked in the colonies, The Times reports.
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The items were located in B Bond Warehouse, looked after by Bristol Archives and Bristol Museums, having been held at British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in the city until 2012, the Daily Mail reports.
Detectives from Avon and Somerset police are looking to speak to four people in connection with the heist.
Officer in the case, DC Dan Burgan, said: ‘The theft of many items which carry a significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city.
‘These items, many of which were donations, form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we are hoping that members of the public can help us to bring those responsible to justice.
‘So far, our enquiries have included significant CCTV enquiries as well as forensic investigations and speaking liaising with the victims.’
According to Bristol Museum, their British Empire collection ‘documents the links between Britain and countries in the British Empire from the late 19th century to recent times.
Who are the four men police want to speak to about the theft?
Avon and Somerset Police have described as:
Male one: white, of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers, and black trainers
Male two: white, of slim build, wearing a grey-hooded jacket, black trousers, and black trainers
Male three: white, wearing a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts, and white trainers. He appears to walk with a slight limp in his right leg.
Male four: white, of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers, and black and white trainers.
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