Alistair Hardaker | Image: a gold signet ring from Ghana is among the items missing (Avon and Somerset Police)
Detective Inspector Jason Chidgey will appeal on Crimewatch Live for help identifying four men connected to Bristol Museum artefact theft.
The detective leading the investigation into the theft of more than 600 artefacts from Bristol Museum will appeal for public help on BBC’s Crimewatch Live on 6 March.
Detective Inspector Jason Chidgey will ask viewers to help identify four men police wish to speak to in connection with the burglary of a building in the Cumberland Road area of Bristol in September.
Police say four men gained entry to the building, which housed items from Bristol Museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection, between 1am and 2am on 25 September. Police are releasing a list of stolen items in the hope that members of the public may have purchased them or seen them for sale online.
DI Chidgey said: “The items stolen range in value, but these one-of-a-kind artefacts are completely irreplaceable and hold a great importance historically and culturally and were donated by several people for others to view and enjoy.
“We are hoping that, by sharing the full itinerary of items stolen, people may recognise items they may have seen up for sale or anyone who may have inadvertently or unknowingly sold, acquired, or come into possession of them.”
The stolen items include jewellery, decorative boxes and ornaments from across Asia and Africa, carved ivory pieces, weapons including swords and daggers, metal figurines and sculptures, replica Benin brass heads, and polished mineral specimens. The list notes that several items were duplicates and the inventory is not complete due to donor consent requirements.
One man has already been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and has been released on police bail.
Crimewatch Live airs at 10.45am on 6 March on BBC One and on BBC iPlayer after 11.30am.
