'Huge blow' as Bronze Age gold jewellery stolen from Cambridgeshire museum

Two items of Bronze Age jewellery were stolen from Ely Museum after thieves broke in during the early hours of Tuesday (May 7). The police are investigating the theft.

A gold torc and gold bracelet dating to the Bronze Age were both taken. The torc was found in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist and is regarded as the best found in England in more than a century.

It is made of 730g of almost pure gold and is much larger than usual examples. It was found in a ploughed field and reported to the local Finds Liaison Officer before it was acquired by the museum with public donations and grants.

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The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old. It was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist.

Elie Hughes, Curator at Ely Museum said: We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region. It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017.

"As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replaced. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects."

Detective Inspector Kiri Mazur said she was looking for two suspects on e-scooters who are believed to be involved in the burglary. DI Mazur said: "The theft of these items is despicable, and we are focused on identifying the offenders, tracing the items, and returning them to their rightful place.

"We are working closely with staff at Ely Museum to follow all lines of enquiry. I am very keen to hear from anyone who may be able to provide information or saw two people on e-scooters who were in the vicinity the museum, car park and pedestrian walkways at the back of the museum, the council offices and the Grange Car Park, between 12am and 2am on (Tuesday 7 May)."

A force spokesperson said: "Anyone who has any information is urged to contact police via our web chat service quoting Operation Lacunar or call us on 101 if you do not have internet access." The museum remained closed on Wednesday (May 8).