Fitzwilliam Museum Chinese art theft: Two held in London

Items from various Chinese dynasties were taken

Detectives investigating the theft of Chinese art from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge have arrested two people.

A 28-year-old man and 15-year-old boy were arrested earlier at addresses in east London by officers from Cambridgeshire and the Metropolitan Police.

A number of other addresses in London are being searched.

On Tuesday, CCTV images of four men sought in connection with the robbery were shown on BBC One's Crimewatch.

The two males arrested in London are being taken to Cambridgeshire for questioning.

A 25-strong team of officers is involved in the investigation into the theft of 18 items taken from the museum at about 19:30 BST on 13 April.

The artefacts are thought to be worth in excess of £18m.

'Significant response'

Following the Crimewatch appeal, a police spokesman said more than 10 calls were received to the Crimewatch number and a number of other calls were made to a dedicated hotline.

Det Ch Insp Jim McCrorie, who appealed for information on the programme, said: "There was a significant response to the appeal but it is going to take time to work through inquiries.

"We are still keen to hear from anyone who has information about the burglary or the four men we are keen to trace in connection to the theft."

Officers are still appealing for information about a white Volkswagen Caddy van which was seen arriving in Grove Lane in Cambridge at 19:26 on the Friday evening, where it was parked for several minutes.

It was later seen on camera in Trumpington Street, close to Hotel Du Vin, at 19:38, leaving the city.

Police described the van as "vital to the investigation".

The museum and Cambridgeshire Police have refused to comment on security at the Fitzwilliam.

Police in Durham have also made two arrests in connection with the theft of Chinese jade and porcelain items, stolen from Durham University's Oriental Museum in early April.

Both Cambridgeshire and Durham forces have confirmed they are not directly linking the two incidents.

However, a spokesman from Durham Police said they were "keeping an open mind".