News / Hotwells
Arrest after 600 items stolen from Bristol Museum collection
A 41-year-old has been arrested after the theft of hundreds of artefacts from a museum collection in Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the man was held on suspicion of handling stolen goods and has since been released under investigation.
The force is looking for four people in connection with a “high-value” burglary from Bristol Museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection from an off-site storage facility on Cumberland Road in Hotwells.
The raid took place in the early hours of September 25, 2025.
Among the missing items, described as having “significant cultural value”, are militaria, jewellery, decorative art items, silver items, bronze figurines and natural history pieces including geological specimens.
Detectives have released CCTV footage and are still searching for the men described as follows: “Man one: white, of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers and black trainers.
“Man two: white, of slim build, wearing a grey-hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers.
“Man 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.
“Man four: white, of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers and black and white trainers.”
A police spokesperson 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.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225269603, or complete an online appeals form.
Main photo: Avon and Somerset Police
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