Police share new CCTV images after museum break-in

New images have been released of one of two men police would like to speak to in connection with the museum break-in

Detectives have released new images of one of two men they would like to speak to in connection with a museum break-in.

An antique blunderbuss gun and a number of antique pocket watches were stolen from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) and Art Gallery in Exeter on Wednesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police has shared new CCTV images following the incident, which happened at around 05:00 BST on Wednesday.

The force said two suspects were believed to have forced entry into the premises and stolen a number of items.

Images shared by police earlier this week showed two men who officers are keen to speak to in relation to the incident.

They were wearing dark clothing with face coverings and riding bicycles.

The latest images showed one of the men wearing a different set of shoes.

"We appreciate the faces of the men are covered in the images, however it is hoped somebody may still be able to help the investigation with new information," a police spokesperson said.

The antique blunderbuss gun dates back to the early 19th century, the museum said

Blunderbuss guns like the one stolen would have been used to protect mail coaches from the threat of robbery while travelling on remote roads, a museum spokesperson said.

The museum's flint lock blunderbuss, attached to a bayonet, is inscribed with the name The Quicksilver, and museum staff said it could have been used onboard the Quicksilver mail coach in the 19th Century.

A blunderbuss was used to fend off an attack on the Exeter to London mail coach in October 1816 involving a lion that had escaped from a travelling menagerie.

Museum staff said it was impossible to say whether the one stolen was the one used back in 1816.

Police said inquiries were ongoing after 17 watches were stolen

A police spokesperson said 17 antique pocket watches were stolen from the museum on Queen Street.

Among these were three early 19th Century chronometers, used at sea, and a chronograph, which can be used as a stopwatch.

The examples from RAMM were made between the early 1800s to 1880 and marked important technological developments in these pocket-size precision watches, a museum spokesperson added.

The makers are William John McMaster, Charles Cope, and Victor Kullberg.

Exeter City Council leader Philip Bialyk said they were "deeply saddened by this theft" and were working with police to investigate.

He said the gallery had been secured and a thorough review of security was under way.

The museum reopened to the public on Thursday, although access to the affected gallery might be "limited", he added.