Police have recovered items stolen from the Oriental Museum at Durham University last month.
Five people were arrested in connection with the theft of two Chinese artefacts, but were released on bail until June pending further enquiries.
The objects, a Dehua porcelain figurine and an 18th-century jade bowl, are estimated to be worth £2m.
The items were removed from the museum’s Malcolm MacDonald gallery on 5 April. Press reports said an alarm went off at about 10.40pm.
A Durham University spokeswoman said: “Our security measures are under constant review, but we do not comment on specific arrangements. Despite this terrible loss, the university remains committed to ensuring public access to its important collections.”
The museum was temporarily closed while the damage was repaired,but has now reopened.
Detective superintendent Adrian Green said: “I would think the artefacts have been stolen to order."
Meanwhile, Chinese artefacts estimated to be worth £18m were stolen from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge last month.
Five people were arrested in connection with the theft of two Chinese artefacts, but were released on bail until June pending further enquiries.
The objects, a Dehua porcelain figurine and an 18th-century jade bowl, are estimated to be worth £2m.
The items were removed from the museum’s Malcolm MacDonald gallery on 5 April. Press reports said an alarm went off at about 10.40pm.
A Durham University spokeswoman said: “Our security measures are under constant review, but we do not comment on specific arrangements. Despite this terrible loss, the university remains committed to ensuring public access to its important collections.”
The museum was temporarily closed while the damage was repaired,but has now reopened.
Detective superintendent Adrian Green said: “I would think the artefacts have been stolen to order."
Meanwhile, Chinese artefacts estimated to be worth £18m were stolen from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge last month.