News / Crime
More than 600 museum artefacts stolen
More than 600 artefacts have been stolen from the Bristol Museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection.
On September 25, between 1am – 2am, a group of four unidentified males gained entry to the museum’s storage facility which Bristol24/7 understands is in one of the bonded warehouses between the Cumberland Basin and the New Cut.
The offenders took hundreds of items of various descriptions in what Avon and Somerset Police are describing as a “high-value burglary”.
We want to speak to the people, pictured, after museum artefacts were stolen in Bristol.
The burglary happened in the Cumberland Road area between 1-2am on Thursday 25 September.
If you can help, call 101 ref 5225269603 or contact Crimestoppers.https://t.co/g1cWBLtfab
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) December 11, 2025
They describe the four in question as: “Male one: white, of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers and black trainers.
“Male two: white, of slim build, wearing a grey-hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers.
“Male 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.
“Male four: white, of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy or black puffed jacket, black trousers and black and white trainers.”
Police have released CCTV imagery of the four suspects, and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
Officer in the case, detective constable Dan Burgan, said: “The theft of many items which carry a significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city.
“These items, many of which were donations, form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we are hoping that members of the public can help us to bring those responsible to justice.”
The theft of the museum artefacts comes five years after the lord mayor’s historic chain of office was stolen from a unit in Smeaton Road near the Create Centre. The ceremonial jewellery has never been recovered.
Anyone with information is asked to get in touch via 101, referencing number 5225269603.
Main photo: Avon and Somerset Police
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