Police step up appeal over Fitzwilliam Museum raid

Detectives investigating a multi-million pound burglary at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge have launched a dedicated phone number for the public.

Chinese artefacts worth more than £10 million were stolen inthe raid. Ports and airports have been put on alert in case the criminals tryand smuggle the items out of the country.

Officers are appealing to the public for help in tracing awhite van believed to have been used in the incident.

CCTV checks have shown the van arrived in Grove Lane at 7.26pm on Friday April 13and was parked in the road for several minutes.

It then appears on a camera on Trumpington Street, close to Hotel DuVin, at 7.38pm leaving the city.

Officers are now trawling through CCTV in the area toestablish where it went from there and where it has been since.

Det Ch Supt Karen Daber said: "It is vital we tracethis van as it may hold vital clues in connection with this burglary.

"We believe it was stolen from near the Londis shop in Ellesmere Street,Tower Hamlets, London at around 8.30am on April7 and then used in Cambridgeon the night of the burglary.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish where the van hasbeen and where it is now.”

People can call the dedicated line on 01480 428066 or Crimestoppersanonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be reported by email at optundra@cambs.pnn.police.uk