Police reveal getaway route of Lord Mayor’s chain theft gang
POLICE have revealed the route a gang took after ripping a safe containing the Bristol Lord Mayor’s two chains from a lock-up unit eight months ago.
Six thieves broke into a Bristol City Council lock-up in Cumberland Basin in the early hours of February 24.
The 19th century gold chains are worth around £45,000. Lord Mayor Jos Clark fought back tears in February when she explained why she was not wearing them in a council meeting.
In a renewed appeal, police have revealed the route taken by the gang after the break-in.
CCTV captured the moment a white Transit van was used to drag a safe through a perspex panel on the side of the building, before the thieves put it in the back of the van.
The unit is named ‘Bristol City Council Security Services’ and located underneath the Brunel Way flyover on Smeaton Road.
The gang, appearing to include younger adults or children, were filmed jogging after the van as its driver sped off, pulling the safe
along the road as sparks flew off the tarmac.
Two safes were stolen from the unit between 2.30am and 4am.
Following an extensive search of CCTV footage, police have pieced together the gang’s journey out of the city:
» After leaving the unit on Smeaton Road, they used Ashton Avenue Bridge to cross the River Avon;
» They then stayed on the MetroBus route which runs along the edge of Greville Smyth Park, underneath Brunel Way, next to Paxton Drive and then alongside the A3029 past Ashton Gate Stadium;
The route then runs alongside Colliter’s Brook before crossing to run alongside Longmoor Brook on Feeder Road
They then joined Colliter’s Way via Brook Gate, then from the Lime Kiln Roundabout the group travelled to the Winford area.
One of the safes was found in Greville Smyth Park the following day by a member of the public, who handed it in.
The safe which contained the Lord Mayor’s chains was found dumped in Greatstone Lane, which runs between Crown Hill and Frog
Lane near Winford. The whereabouts of the two chains are unknown.
Officers have established there were six people involved. They have arrested three men in connection with the break-in.
Investigating officer from Operation Remedy Beth Sutor said: “Through our investigations we have managed to piece together the detail of what happened back in February.
“We don’t believe the chains were specifically targeted, more that this was opportunistic crime. There is reason to believe that the chains may still be in the Winford or Chew Valley area, so I would appeal to people in the local area to be on the lookout.
“If anyone wants to provide information anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The Chain of Office of the Lord Mayor is 139.6 cm long and made of 23-carat gold.
It is formed entirely of gothic medallions decorated with stars and coupled by pairs of smaller links, with a pendant badge, also of gold, bearing the arms of the city.