POLICE investigating a break-in at Durham University’s Oriental Museum said the burglary was a well-planned and highly organised job.
Late on Thursday night, 5 April intruders forced their way into the Malcolm MacDonald Gallery at the museum on Durham’s Elvet Hill. They made off with an 18th century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine which were on display in separate cabinets.
The bowl dates from 1769 and has a Chinese poem written inside. The figurine, of seven fairies in a boat stands around 30cm high; both are from the Qing Dynasty, China’s last imperial dynasty (1644 -1912) and their total value is estimated at around £2million. Their current whereabouts are unknown.
Police have arrested a total of five people in connection with the incident, all of whom are from the West Midlands area.
The senior investigating officer, Det Supt Adrian Green said he estimated the burglars had been in the premises for only a minute or two at the most once they forced entry.
“It seems very clear that this was a well-planned, highly organised break-in. They have spent around 40 minutes creating a hole in an outside wall and when it has been big enough, they have entered the gallery and made straight for these two items,” said Det Supt Green.
“I am sure this job has been planned for quite some time and I would think the artefacts have been stolen to order, for someone who has already identified a potential market.”
Police are conducting ongoing enquiries with a number of other forces, in particular West Midlands Police.
Supt Green said he was especially keen to hear of anyone who could help trace the movements of two cars, a light blue Audi A3 and an orange Renault Megane which were in the Durham area over 4th 5th April. The Audi was also seen in Durham on Good Friday, 6th April.
It’s thought either or both of these vehicles may also have been seen in Brandon or Meadowfield in the days leading up to Thursday night’s burglary.
And police also want to hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in those areas over the same period.
One man, a 27-year-old from Walsall in the West Midlands is currently under arrest on suspicion of assisting an offender. He is being interviewed at a police station in County Durham. Four other people from the same area men aged 56, 41 and 36 plus a 34-year-old woman were arrested at the weekend on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.
They have all been released on police bail until early June pending further enquiries.
