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Police Release Images of Four Suspects in Bristol Museum Theft of 600 Empire-Era Objects

The haul represents a major cultural loss for Bristol’s collection of Empire and Commonwealth history.

Overview

  • The items were taken in the early hours of September 25 from a museum storage building in Bristol, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
  • More than 600 objects were stolen, including medals, badges, jewelry, silver and bronze figurines, geological specimens, and high‑value ivory pieces such as a carved elephant and an ivory Buddha.
  • Detective Dan Burgan described the theft as a significant loss for the city, noting that many of the items were donations that document complex imperial histories.
  • CCTV shows four men entering between about 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., whom police described as white, and no arrests have been announced.
  • Investigators are reviewing security footage and conducting forensic examinations, and the museum has strengthened on‑site security.