Shocking CCTV footage shows moment thieves towed Bristol mayor’s jewellery down road

This is the dramatic moment a gang of thieves used a van to rip a safe containing the Lord Mayor's ceremonial chain out of a lock-up unit in Bristol.

Police investigating the crime have issued fresh CCTV captured outside the council lock-up in Cumberland Basin.

It shows the driver of a white van speed off with cables attached to the back of the van, which yanks a heavy safe through the door of the unit.

Watch the shocking CCTV footage below:

The unit is named 'Bristol City Council Security Services' and is located underneath the Brunel Way flyover on Smeaton Road.

The chains belonged to Bristol Lord Mayor Cllr Jos Clark. Credit: Bristol City Council

The two safes were stolen in the early hours of Monday, February 24, at some point between 2.30am and 4am.

One of the safes was recovered the following day in Winford, North Somerset, but the Lord Mayor’s Chain and other jewellery items have not been recovered.

On Wednesday last week, the Lord Mayor, Cllr Jos Clark, fought back the tears as she chaired a full council meeting and had to explain why she wasn’t wearing her ceremonial chain.

The chains date from the 19th century and are believed to be worth around £45,000.

Now, police are appealing to drivers, night-time workers and people with CCTV in the area to help them track down the van, the thieves and the chain.