Bristol museum burglary: Over 600 artefacts, including Indian treasures, stolen from UK museum

Over

600 high-value artefacts, including rare pieces from India dating back to the British era, were stolen during a burglary at a Bristol museum.

According to PTI, among the stolen items were an ivory Buddha on a stone base, featuring seven carved snake heads - a rare and valuable religious artefact, and a waist belt buckle belonging to an East India Company office.

It is inscribed with the company's motto, "Auspicio Regis et Senatus Angliae " in Latin, which means "Under the auspices of the King and the Parliament of England."

The other stolen items include military memorabilia, jewellery, natural history specimens, and carved figurines made of ivory, bronze, and silver.

Some of the stolen artefacts also include a carved ivory elephant ornament, an 1838 US emancipation token issued to promote the abolition of slavery, a painting of the 1903 Delhi Durbar celebrating Edward VII being proclaimed Emperor of India and over 250 letters from British soldier Joseph Stephens, who was posted on the then Northwest Frontier.

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Photographs by Mumbai-born Victor Veevers, a poster artist for Indian Railways in the 1930s and a large film archive of around 2,000 items, dating from the 1920s to the 1970s, including significant amateur footage from India and several African nations, were also stolen in the burglary.

"These artefacts were part of a collection that documents the links between Britain and countries formerly part of the British empire from the late 18th century to the late 20th century," said Philip Walker, head of culture and creative industries at Bristol City Council.

The burglary occurred on September 25 between 1 am and 2 am, targeting the museum's British Empire and Commonwealth collection, which contains artefacts from former British colonies, including India.

Detective Constable Dan Burgan of the Avon and Somerset Police said, "The theft of many items which carry a significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city." He further said that these stolen items, many of which were donations, give understanding to people about the history of the British Empire.

"These items… form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we hope the public can help us bring those responsible to justice," Burgan said.

The UK police have released grainy footage of the suspects to help the public identify them and assist in the ongoing investigation into the museum burglary.

Police said they "wish to speak to the four people pictured, as they believe they will be able to assist with inquiries, and urged anyone who recognises them to come forward."