Haul of antique silver stolen from military museum

Police have launched an investigation following the theft

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of antique silver artefacts have been stolen from a military museum in Nottinghamshire.

The haul was taken from the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum at Thoresby Park in Newark in the early hours of Sunday.

An investigation has been launched following the theft, which happened between 02:40 and 03:30 GMT.

Nottinghamshire Police said the stolen items had "significant historic and sentimental value".

'Very distinctive items'

A parcel and gilt rosewater dish - said to be the sister piece to the Ladies' Singles Trophy at Wimbledon - was among the artefacts taken.

Det Sgt Jackie Price said: "This was an audacious crime and clearly well planned by the person or people responsible.

"The items taken are not just worth tens of thousands of pounds; they are also of significant historic and sentimental value to the military community.

"These are very distinctive items and anyone who has seen them or been offered them for sale should get in touch with the police as soon as possible."

Other items taken included the Hurlingham Grand Military Polo trophy, statuettes of mounted soldiers and a cavalry trumpet.

The museum, near Ollerton, also contains a range of firearms and other weapons that have all been accounted for, police added.

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