Burglars steal silver from museum

Police said thieves broke into the newly-restored Clifton Park Museum in Rotherham on Tuesday, smashing a window and grabbing the valuable items.

The robbers smashed a window in the building in the town’s Clifton Park in the early hours of the morning, and staff realised the flagons were missing later that day.

A police spokesman said: “The stolen items are described as a pair of George III silver flagons, of plain circular tapering form, with a spreading foot.

“They each have a domed, hinged cover, with a leaf scroll thumbpiece, and a hollow handle with a heart terminal.”

Museum experts said the items were made by Tudor and Leaver a Sheffield silversmith in 1781 and said they weigh 116oz and are around 36cm (14ins) tall.

The side of each is engraved with the words, The Gift of Mrs Mary Bellamy, Late of Rotherham 1781.

The theft is the latest incident at the museum, which was targeted by thieves who stole lead from the roof earlier this year causing damage when rain leaked into the building.

Anyone with information about the flagons should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.