Theft At The Museum

A Roman altar has been stolen from an open display at a Cumbria museum.

17:25 18 August 2015

A red sandstone altar was “forcibly wrenched” by a thief from the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport during opening hours on Thursday. The altar was discovered in 1880 and is part of the Netherhall Collection.

 

Museum manager Jane Laskey said: "It has always been a priority to us that the collection is made accessible to everyone and we have trusted members of the public to value the collection too.

 

"It is very unpleasant to find that someone abused that trust to steal something that is such a significant part of the heritage of the people of Maryport.

 

"As a result of this incident the museum's security has been reviewed,"

 

According to Historic England, John Senhouse started to form the Netherhall Collection in the 16th century, which later became the largest private collection of Roman antiquities from one British site.

 

Police who are investigating the crime are now reviewing the CCTV footage from the week of the theft.