A 300-year-old violin owned by a top concert musician has been stolen from a pub in London.
The instrument, made in Florence in 1740, is believed to be worth more than £150,000, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force has issued an appeal for witnesses in order to help track potential suspects after the instrument was allegedly stolen on the evening of 18 February from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street, Islington.
A 30-year-old victim reported the theft that same evening.
PC Michael Collins, from the Met’s local policing team in Camden, said: “We’ve been working hard to try and locate the suspect and are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible.
“The victim, who is a member of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, has told us the piece is worth more than £150,000 and was made in Florence in 1740.
“It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it’s priceless.
“Please help us find the person responsible and have the violin returned to its rightful owner.”
Police issued a number of photos of the violin in question, as well as snapshots from CCTV footage showing the instrument’s theft.
A person in black clothes wearing a tan trench coat and a hat was photographed moving around the pub and heading towards the exit with the instrument case. As they left the pub, they carried their trench coat and the violin case.
The Philharmonia Orchestra, founded in 1945, is described as a “world-class symphony orchestra for the 21st century” on its website. There are 14 violinists listed online as part of Philharmonia’s First Violin seat and eight in the Second Violin seat.
Police asked that anyone who recognises the person pictured, or might have information that would help police with their investigation, should call 101 with the reference 01/7178074/25 or tweet the police via @MetCC.
