POLICE officers are continuing to hunt for five rare medals which were snatched from a Colchester museum by crooks.

Hollytrees Museum was raided in March when thieves broke into a display cabinet and stole three gold and two bronze pieces.

The exhibits, which all date from the second half of the 19th century, had been on show since May 2021 but had been repositioned just a week prior to their disappearance.

The medals include those awarded to Paxmans at the Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, the Paris Exposition Universelle International, and Australian International Exhibition in Sydney.

Gazette: Snatched - some of the medals taken by thieves in the raidSnatched - some of the medals taken by thieves in the raid (Image: Colchester Council)

Essex Police has stated its inquiries continue following the break-in at about 8.30pm on March 1.

An appeal has now been launched by the Gazette for the medals to be returned after being missing for eight months.

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Colchester Council’s ex-heritage boss Darius Laws is backing the appeal, claiming the theft is a direct attack on the city’s proud history.

He said: “These are important pieces of Colchester’s heritage which deserve to be accessible to all through our museums.

Gazette: Break-in - Hollytrees MuseumBreak-in - Hollytrees Museum (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m gutted as it feels like a part of us has been lost, they have been carefully and lovingly curated on display in our museum.

“Those assets are owned by all of us in Colchester to enjoy, look at and learn from and it really is the lowest of the low to steal something like this.

“If the perpetrator is reading the Gazette and having second thoughts I would say this: ‘Do the right thing and hand them in’.”

An Essex Police spokesman said during the incident the suspects gained access to the site in Castle Park and a display cabinet was forced open.

Gazette: Missing - some of the medals stolenMissing - some of the medals stolen (Image: Colchester Council)

“No arrests have been made. Officers are liaising with Colchester Council and are following several lines of enquiry,” he added.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.”

If you can help the police’s appeal, you should call 101 and cite incident 1213 of March 1.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.