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First arrest after high-value museum raid

Chloe HarcombeWest of England
News imageBristol Museum A carved ivory buddha with robes in a cross-legged position. It sits next to a circular belt buckle with a laurel motif with the words "Auspicio Regis et Senatus Angliae".Bristol Museum
A carved ivory Buddha and a belt buckle from the East India Company uniform were among the items taken

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods after more than 600 artefacts were taken from Bristol Museum's archive.

Avon and Somerset Police launched a major manhunt after the high-value raid on 25 September.

On Thursday, detectives announced they have made their first arrest in relation to incident, which saw military memorabilia, jewellery, natural history pieces and carved ivory, bronze and silver figurines taken.

The force is still hunting for four other suspects and has released CCTV images of the men.

News imageAvon and Somerset Police A blurry CCTV image of four men wearing jackets and baseball caps in a street at night time.Avon and Somerset Police
Police have released an image of four men they want to speak to after more than 600 artefacts were stolen

All of the men are thought to be white.

  • The first was described as of medium to stocky build and was wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers and black trainers.
  • The second was described as being of slim build and was wearing a grey, hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers.
  • The third man was wearing a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts and white trainers. Police said he appeared to walk with a slight limp in his right leg.
  • The fourth was described as being of large build and was wearing a two-toned orange and navy or black puffy jacket, black trousers and black and white trainers.

Police confirmed the arrested man has been released under investigation.

News imageAvon and Somerset Police A CCTV image of four men in a street at night time. They are wearing dark clothing. Two are wearing caps, one has a green hoody on and one is bare headed and has a bald patch.Avon and Somerset Police
The items were taken from a building in the Cumberland Basin

The gang is believed to have entered the property between 01:00 and 02:00 BST.

The stolen items were from the collection of the former British Empire & Commonwealth Museum, which was donated to the Bristol Museum after its liquidation in 2013.

Police said the stolen artefacts had "significant cultural value".

Following the incident, Bristol City Council released images of an elephant carved in ivory, an ivory statue of the Buddha, a ship lantern and an Emancipation token.

A police spokeswoman said: "We continue to appeal for the public's help to identify the four men pictured and have released two short video clips of the people we wish to speak to."

Anybody with information is asked to contact the force.

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