First edition Harry Potter stolen in Norfolk bookshop burglary

A first edition Harry Potter was among the rare books stolen. Credit: .

Police are appealing for information after two men broke into the shop in Napier Place, Thetford, between 11.50pm on Monday 8 January and 1.30am on Tuesday 9 January 2018.

The books taken included a Hardcover Bloomsbury first edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in a red custom box. It's thought to be worth around £40,000.

Also stolen was a hardcover signed first edition of Terry Pratchett's Colour of Magic worth around £9,000 and a hardcover first edition of The Hobbit from 1937 worth around £7,000.

Other valuable items taken included a set of four first editions of Winnie the Pooh in a black custom box worth around £5,000 and a first impression of The Great Gatsby from 1925 worth around £2,000.

A paperback copy of Brief History of Time from 1983 with a thumbprint signature by Stephen Hawking was also stolen, along with two first editions of the Gunslinger by Stephen King and a sketchbook from the 1820s-1840s by an unknown artist including pencil and water colour sketches.