WELSH TYCOON OFFERS REWARD AFTER £1m JEWELS RAID AT MANSION
ONE of Wales’ richest men is offering a “substantial” reward to catch the burglars who stole jewellery and antiques worth more than £1m from his family home in the Cotswolds.
Sir Christopher Evans described the thieves as “dangerous, brazen, professional risk takers” and warned that next time someone could be seriously hurt or worse.
The raiders struck on July 9 at the home of Sir Christopher and his wife Lady Anne in Bibury.
Gloucestershire Police said the four-strong gang are believed to have climbed a 7ft wall to gain entry to the grounds.
Detectives have released CCTV of the incident in which the burglars used log baskets to carry the stolen items to a waiting car.
It is believed they then got into a grey or silver Audi S5 before making off at speed in the direction of Cirencester.
Among the jewellery was Lady Anne’s engagement ring and her late father’s signet ring.
Sir Christopher, an internationally renowned life sciences entrepreneur who was born and raised in Port Talbot where his father was a steelworker, said: “On behalf of my family I am offering a substantial reward for information that will lead to the conviction of these thieves.
“It is a sign of the times that people have the audacity to scale a perimeter wall in broad daylight and walk across open grounds to steal from someone’s home.
“We’ve lived in Bibury for many years and have never encountered anything like this before.
“Of course, there is always a financial loss when something happens like this, but the real pain comes from what these stolen items mean and symbolise in our lives.
“The burglary has had a particularly devastating effect on my wife Anne as many of the pieces of jewellery, silver and ceramics have huge sentimental value for us both.
“For example, Anne’s engagement ring, her late father’s signet ring - the only thing she has left of him.
“Then there is an irreplaceable Ramsden and Carr rose bowl - dated London 1901 - and a diamond ring I bought my wife when our first child was born, which cost almost our entire savings at that point.
“There are many small value and large items that have been stolen but they all have the same emotional and sentimental impact.
“We hope the appeal from the police and the offer of a reward will help catch the thieves.
“In addition to the CCTV cameras, which recorded the footage released, we also have 30 wireless wildlife cameras in our grounds which record sound, vision and movement. We have always taken security around the property very seriously and have obviously stepped up security with 24-hour dog patrols around the property.
“We know that people saw these thieves make their getaway in a dark grey Audi vehicle and reported them to the police.
“I do urge anyone with any further information to contact the police immediately.
“All of this can be done anonymously, no questions asked, and we are also offering a substantial cash reward for information that leads to a conviction.
“These thieves are dangerous, brazen, professional risk takers, and the next time somebody could be seriously hurt or worse.”
Detective Constable Faye Satchwell-Bennett said: “We are trying to identify the offenders and ask that members of the public watch the CCTV footage and think back to that day.
“Do you know who these people are? Did you see a silver or grey vehicle driving at speed through Bibury between these times or anything suspicious that may help with our investigation?
“As with any other burglary this has had a marked impact on the victims and we are asking that anyone with information comes forward.
“The victims are offering a substantial reward for information that leads to a conviction so please help us if you can.”