Priceless items stolen during ‘carefully planned’ Sheffield museum heist

A total of 12 ‘irreplaceable’ items of historical significance have been stolen during what has been described as a ‘carefully planned’ heist at a Sheffield museum.

Sheffield Museums are calling on the public for their help in recovering the items relating to metalworking in the city following a burglary at Kelham Island Museum on Sunday, May 14. Officials say the cultural significance of the distinctive items goes far beyond any financial value they may have.

Sheffield Museums is a charity which runs Kelham Island Museum alongside Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Graves Gallery, Millennium Gallery, Shepherd Wheel Workshop and Weston Park Museum. South Yorkshire Police say the burglars struck in the early hours of the morning of May 14, forcing entry to the museum and causing damage to display cases.

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Kim Streets, Chief Executive of Sheffield Museums Trust, says: “We’re deeply saddened by the break-in at Kelham Island Museum over the weekend, which appears to have been a carefully planned theft. Like museums across the country, we care for the objects entrusted to us and work with our partners and communities to celebrate the remarkable feats of innovation, creativity and excellence they represent.

“The historical significance of these items goes far beyond any financial value they hold. They span one of the first objects hallmarked by Sheffield Assay Office to knives made by one of our last Little Mesters, the much-missed Stan Shaw, and are irreplaceable touchstones of Sheffield’s rich heritage.

A gallery of the items taken from the museum(Image: South Yorkshire Police)

“Some of these items are likely to find their way onto the market and are very distinctive. We’re appealing to the public to be vigilant and to share any information they have that might aid their recovery with South Yorkshire Police.”