More than 600 British Empire-era artefacts stolen from Bristol Museum

Detectives are appealing for help after hundreds of artefacts documenting British colonial history were stolen.Published On 11 Dec 2025Police in southwest England say more than 600 artefacts linked to the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth have been stolen from the Bristol Museum’s collection.Avon and Somerset Police released images of four suspects on Thursday as part of an appeal for information.Investigators say the items, described as having “significant cultural value”, were taken from a museum storage facility during the early hours of September 25.Officers have not clarified why the appeal is being issued more than two months after the theft, but say they want to speak to four men seen in the area at the time.Bristol City Council confirmed that the stolen collection spans medals, badges, pins, jewellery, carved ivory, silverware, bronze figures and geological samples.Philip Walker, the council’s head of culture and creative industries, said the objects reflect more than two centuries of Britain’s connections with countries incorporated into its empire.“The collection is of cultural significance to many countries and provides an invaluable record and insight into the lives of those involved in and affected by the British Empire,” Walker said.This handout image of security camera footage released by Avon and Somerset Police on December 11, 2025, shows men carrying bags in the early hours of September 25 in the city of Bristol [Handout/Avon and Somerset Police/AFP]‘Significant loss’Detective Constable Dan Burgan, who is leading the investigation, said the theft “is a significant loss for the city”.