One man has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and released on police bail, according to multiple reports. Police have released CCTV images of four men they want to speak to in connection with the theft, but their identities and involvement remain unknown. Detective Inspector Jason Chidgey will make an appeal on BBC's Crimewatch Live on March 6.
The stolen items include military memorabilia, jewellery, natural history pieces, and carved ivory, bronze, and silver figurines, major media reports indicate. The Empire and Commonwealth Collection housed at the site includes more than 10,000 objects from across the world. According to BBC News - England, Philip Walker, Bristol City Council's head of culture, described the items as unique and irreplaceable parts of British history collected over 150 years.
These are unique items that have been collected over 150 years or more. [It's] a quite unique and specific part of British history. So they're irreplaceable. They come from all different parts of the globe. And many of these items won't exist in other collections, they won't be produced any more.
Security at the site has been strengthened since the theft, following a previous attempted break-in a week earlier, according to major media. Experts told the BBC the incident did not bear the hallmarks of a targeted theft, suggesting it may have been opportunistic. The location of the stolen items and whether any have been recovered are still unknown. Detective Inspector Jason Chidgey said the items range in value but some are one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable with incredible cultural and historical significance. He added that police are worried people may have inadvertently bought some items and appealed for them to come forward. According to BBC News - England, Philip Walker expressed confidence that such a theft could not happen again and appealed for public help.
We are confident this can't happen again. We would just appeal to the public to help us find the perpetrators of this crime.
The items range in value but some of them are one-of-a-kind items which are irreplaceable and hold incredible cultural and historical significance.
We are worried that people have inadvertently bought some of these items, whether it be from an auctioneer, the high street, or from an online auction. Part of the appeal is to ask those people to come forward.
The items stolen range in value, but these one-of-a-kind artefacts are completely irreplaceable and hold a great importance historically and culturally and were donated by several people for others to view and enjoy. We are hoping that, by sharing the full itinerary of items stolen, people may recognise items they may have seen up for sale or anyone who may have inadvertently or unknowingly sold, acquired, or come into possession of them.