Antique pocket watches stolen in museum raid

Antique pocket watches and a firearm have been taken from a museum after two people forced entry, detectives have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said 17 watches were taken along with a flintlock blunderbuss from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, in Exeter, Devon.

Officers were called to the museum at 05:00 BST on Wednesday.

Councillor Philip Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, said: "We are deeply saddened by this theft and are working with the police to investigate."

He said: "The gallery has been secured and a thorough review of security is under way."

He said the museum would reopen to the public on Thursday although access to the affected gallery may be "limited".

"Our hope is that the items, which are of great importance to the people of Exeter and Devon, can be recovered," Bialyk added.

Police said they would like to speak to two individuals, thought to be men, who were both were dressed in all black and riding bicycles.

"The two individuals officers would like to identify may speak with Liverpudlian accents," police said.

The force have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

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