A major theft has occurred at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, UK, where over 600 highly valuable items were stolen, including rare Indian artifacts from the colonial period. Local authorities have launched a thorough investigation and appealed to the public for assistance in tracing the missing objects.
The incident took place in the early hours of September 25, between 1 and 2 AM. The stolen items include a waist-belt buckle belonging to an East India Company officer and a carved Buddha statue, among other priceless Indian artifacts. Officials highlighted that these items are historically significant and form an important part of British heritage.
Avon and Somerset Police have registered a formal case and released CCTV footage showing four suspects. Detective Constable Dan Burgan described the theft as a “cultural loss of immense value” to the city, noting that many of the stolen items were donated to the museum. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to aid in apprehending the culprits.
The museum, located in Bristol, has been working closely with law enforcement to assist in the investigation. Forensic experts are examining evidence collected from the crime scene, while authorities continue to review CCTV footage and other leads to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen artifacts.
Two months after the incident, the police made the details public to encourage citizens to assist in the investigation. They stressed the importance of community cooperation in solving the case and recovering the stolen items, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of the missing artifacts.