Historic Indian Artifacts Among 600 Valuable Items Stolen in Major UK Museum Heist

A surveillance footage showing four white male suspects was released by police authorities.

New Delhi:

Several Indian artifacts dating back to the British Colonial period are among more than 600 "high value" items stolen during a burglary at a Bristol museum. The Avon and Somerset Police reported that the theft occurred at the museum's British Empire and Commonwealth collection between 1 am and 2 am on September 25. Authorities have released grainy CCTV footage showing four white male suspects at the location.

In their official statement, the police announced, "Detectives investigating a high-value burglary of museum artefacts are appealing for the public's help to identify these people."

The police described the suspects as follows:

Suspect 1: Medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers, and black trainers

Suspect 2: Slim build, wearing a grey-hooded jacket, black trousers, and black trainers

Suspect 3: Wearing a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts, and white trainers. He appears to walk with a slight limp in his right leg.

Suspect 4: Large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers, and black and white trainers.

According to a PTI news report, the stolen items included an ivory Buddha and a waist belt buckle that belonged to an East India Company officer.

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Detective Constable Dan Burgan from the Avon and Somerset Police stated, "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. So far, our enquiries have included significant CCTV enquiries as well as forensic investigations and speaking and liaising with the victims," Burgan added.

It remains unclear why the police issued these appeals more than two months after the burglary took place.