Stolen Chinese treasures found

Police have recovered Chinese treasures worth more than £2 million (€2.42m) that were stolen in a well-planned heist earlier this month.

A gang coolly chiselled into Durham University’s Oriental Museum through an outside wall on April 5, taking more than half an hour, then took as little as 60 seconds to grab two Chinese artefacts.

It is believed they were probably stolen to order.

The thieves had made off before officers alerted by the alarm got to the scene, in what police said was almost certainly a well-planned operation.

Using torches to provide light, the gang made immediately for two cabinets containing an 18th century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine.

Despite making five arrests, Durham Police could not initially find the artefacts and alerted ports around the country.

However, a police spokeswoman said last night: “Both artefacts have been recovered.”

The bowl dates from 1769 and has a Chinese poem written inside, while the figurine is of seven fairies in a boat and stands about 12in (30cm) high.

Both are from the Qing Dynasty, China’s last imperial dynasty, and their total value is estimated by auctioneers at more than £2 million (€2.4m).

A 40-strong team of detectives are looking for two men wanted in connection with the raid. Five people were arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.