Entertainment

Glittering reward on offer after ‘national treasure’ tiara stolen from gallery

The Portland Tiara was stolen from the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire in November last year.
The Portland Tiara was stolen from the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire in November last year. The Portland Tiara was stolen from the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire in November last year.

A reward of up to £100,000 has been offered for information leading to the recovery of a tiara described as a “national treasure” was stolen from an art gallery.

The Portland Tiara was stolen from the Welbeck Estate between 9.45pm and 10pm on November 20 last year, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Thieves broke into the Portland Collection Gallery and stole a diamond brooch from an armoured glass display as well as the tiara.

The Portland Tiara theft
The Portland Tiara theft The brooch was stolen from the Portland Collection Gallery on the Welbeck Estate (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Five men, aged 47, 39, 38, 34 and 24, and a 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the theft.

Police said all six, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle, have been released under investigation.

A private appeal offering the £100,000 reward has now been administered by the Art Loss Register.

The Portland Tiara theft
The Portland Tiara theft CCTV images of the three raiders (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Detective Inspector Gayle Hart said: “We’re still determined to find the people responsible for this brazen theft but we need the public’s help.

“We’re still pursuing a number of lines of inquiry but we believe there are people out there who may have crucial information that could help with our investigation.

“We particularly want to hear from anyone who has any information about a silver Audi S5 which is suspected to have been involved in this offence.

“This vehicle was found abandoned and burnt out in Cross Lane, Blidworth, about half an hour after the incident.

The Portland Tiara theft
The Portland Tiara theft A silver Audi RS5 Quattro believed to have been involved in the burglary (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

“Did you see this vehicle in the Welbeck area around the time of the burglary or anywhere between the Welbeck Estates and Cross Lane in Blidworth between 9.45pm and 10.30pm on 20 November 2018?

“If you have any information about this vehicle, we’d urge you to please come forward and contact us as soon as possible. We’d also like to hear from any drivers who may have dash-cam footage of this vehicle.

“We’re asking people to please call us on 101, quoting incident number 856 of 20 November 2018, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”