Luftwaffe exhibits stolen from museum
Objects may have been stolen to order
A number of second world war items have been stolen from the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum, in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
The objects, including a Luftwaffe pilot’s jacket, an iron cross and flight badges, were taken at the end of May bank holiday weekend.
The theft was discovered at about 5pm on the 27 May when a member of staff noticed another object, a model airoplane, was broken.
Brian Dixon, a trustee of the museum, said the thieves unscrewed a display case and removed the objects, before replacing the glass.
“We had 200 visitors over the weekend, and only one volunteer in on Monday, so it looks like they did this in broad daylight,” he said. “We think these objects were stolen to order, as whoever took them knew what they wanted.”
The museum has photographs of the objects, but as they are not marked Dixon said it may have trouble retrieving the items.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The objects, including a Luftwaffe pilot’s jacket, an iron cross and flight badges, were taken at the end of May bank holiday weekend.
The theft was discovered at about 5pm on the 27 May when a member of staff noticed another object, a model airoplane, was broken.
Brian Dixon, a trustee of the museum, said the thieves unscrewed a display case and removed the objects, before replacing the glass.
“We had 200 visitors over the weekend, and only one volunteer in on Monday, so it looks like they did this in broad daylight,” he said. “We think these objects were stolen to order, as whoever took them knew what they wanted.”
The museum has photographs of the objects, but as they are not marked Dixon said it may have trouble retrieving the items.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.