Brazen thieves steal gold Bronze Age artefacts in planned 4-minute heist

St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff
Bronze Age gold jewellery is believed to have been taken during the burglary at St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/JOHN CUMMINGS
Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle Parkin


Published: 08/10/2025

- 10:16

Updated: 08/10/2025

- 10:17

Police are continuing to search for the stolen items

Two brazen burglars have stolen multiple Bronze Age artefacts from a display case at a Welsh museum in a meticulously planned "four-minute" raid.

The historic items, including gold jewellery, were snatched from St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff early on Monday.


Police were called to the museum at around 12.30am after security staff raised the alarm.

Two men, aged 43 and 50, from Northampton, have since been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The search however, continues for the stolen artefacts, South Wales Police said.

The burglary has been described by staff at the museum as a "targeted attack", with the items taken in a "four-minute" raid, according to the BBC.

Detective Inspector Bob Chambers, from South Wales Police, said: "We would like to thank the museum for their continued support, Northamptonshire Police, and members of the public who responded to our appeal for information."

In an earlier statement, Det Insp Chambers said officers believed two suspects "forced entry to the main building" before taking "several items".

South Wales Police

South Wales Police said searches continue to find the missing items

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GETTY

The museum said it believed Bronze Age gold jewellery was taken, though exact details on what pieces these were have not been revealed.

A spokesman for the museum earlier said: "As a museum, we are saddened by the events in what was a targeted attack on St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.

"The objects presumed stolen are examples of Bronze Age gold jewellery and were on display in the 'Wales is' gallery.

"We would like to thank South Wales Police for their cooperation in this investigation and their prompt response when they were alerted in the early hours.

"We are also very grateful to the staff members who were on duty overnight, followed protocol and who were thankfully uninjured during the incident."

The break-in has sparked concern from Welsh politicians about the safety of museum collections.

St Fagans, on the outskirts of Cardiff, is among the most popular heritage attractions in the region and one of seven national museums under the curation of Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales).

Speaking at the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday, Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales Central, questioned whether other important artefacts may be at risk.

She said: "I’m sure that all of us have been shocked by the news that emanated yesterday of the theft at St Fagans.

"The National Museum of History is concerned that staff were present on site, and very pleased that nobody was injured, but clearly, these are the collections of the people of Wales, these are our national collections.

"We’ve had several discussions here with regard to the safety of the national collections, warnings because of cuts to the sector that the safety of the collections was under threat, so I’d like to hear what steps are being taken now to ensure that the remainder of the national collections are secure and to support the museum."

Jane Hutt, Social Justice Secretary for the Welsh Government, said all museums under Amgueddfa Cymru had stepped up security following the incident.

Ms Hutt said: "It’s a horrific, horrific loss in terms of the theft from St Fagans Museum.

"The museum, of course, was closed at the time, but I think we would all want to thank the staff who quickly raised the alarm and thank South Wales Police for its speedy response.

"But we’re, I’m sure, joined across this chamber in expressing anger at the criminals who attacked a museum beloved by the public, and for the damage they’ve done to our national heritage.

"Amgueddfa Cymru has increased security at all its sites and is also looking with South Wales Police at whether any further precautions should be taken."

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