House intruders nab £5k china collection

Nov 29 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A BIZARRE burglary in a rural Perthshire town netted intruders a haul of collectable china valued at almost £5000.

The break-in at a detached house on Forfar Road in Coupar Angus took place sometime between 3.45pm and 6pm last Thursday, with crooks also nabbing other valuables.

Taken during the raid – which police have dubbed “unusual” – was a collection of 15 high-quality bone china pieces, produced by noted English company, Royal Crown Derby (RCD).

Among valuable ornaments stolen from the house occupied by a 51-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were two RCD lamp bases collectively worth £1275 and a £260 hippopotamus.

A Tayside Police spokesman said it was possible that given the nature of items taken and the short window period of opportunity – just over two hours – the intruders may have known about the contents.

“This is quite an unusual break-in and a full investigation is underway,” he said yesterday.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious characters to contact us to assist with inquiries.

“As the house is on the town’s main street, we are hopeful that somebody saw something.”

Also stolen were two sovereign rings, two pairs of earrings and other valuables.

The full list of RCD items included two lamp bases (£1275), two 10 or 12 inch plates (£295), an owl (£185), two cups and saucers (£495), a clock (£391), a hippopotamus (£260), two doves (£575), two candlesticks (£1275) and four cups (£259).

Based in Derby, RCD was established around 1750 under the name Derby Porcelain until 1773 when it was renamed Crown Derby, with the Royal title added in 1890.

The company – which was revived after the factory closed down – is particularly known for its high-quality bone china, producing assorted tableware and ornamental items, which are now sought after by collectors.

l Contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.