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Roman artefacts spotted at auction after they were stolen 12 years ago

Historic artefacts recovered following police investigation Credit: Essex Police

Roman artefacts stolen from Colchester twelve years ago have been returned to the town.

A set of coffins disappeared from a site at St Mary's Hospital after they were discovered during an excavation.

They were spotted for sale at auction last summer and are now being examined by the archaeological trust.

The recovery of these items means they can now be appreciated by the people of Colchester and studied by academics rather than being hidden behind closed doors in the hands of private collectors.

We are hopeful that the pictures may jog someone’s memory about their disappearance. If you saw anyone acting suspiciously at the time or were offered these artefacts for sale, please let us know.

– PC Long, Rural and Heritage Crime Officer