Statement re Theft at St Andrew's Hall

Between 11.30am and 4pm on Monday, 18th October 2010, both store rooms located in The Cloisters lobby area of St Andrew’s Hall were broken into. The person/s responsible took thousands of pounds in cash and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and antiques. Our loss is difficult to assess at this early stage but is certainly in excess of £10,000.

It is very unusual for us to store cash and high-value items at St Andrew’s Hall. In fact, most of what was taken was due to leave the store rooms today as we clear in preparation for The Norwich Beer Festival. We are not insured and will have to meet this loss from our own resources. As a small family business, this loss is catastrophic.

We have temporarily suspended all auction-related activity until we have had an opportunity to assess and review the full impact of what has happened. However, I would like to make it clear that we do intend to continue to trade and we do intend to make good any losses and payments due to our customers.
There will not be an auction next Thursday (the 28th). Nor will The Cloisters Fair stall next week, although this is mostly because of The Norwich Beer Festival. The Cloisters Fair will return to normal wef Wednesday, 3rd November.

We are offering two things:

1. To the person/s responsible – an opportunity to hand back what was taken, in confidence. Why do that? Do that because I understand that sometimes we do things because we have to do them to survive. I will personally look sympathetically upon the situation and help all I can. I also have a very strong suspicion that I know who you are and give this opportunity to you to trust me. The police have taken this matter very seriously and I have been very impressed with them. The Scenes of Crime Officers have gathered very good evidence and there is CCTV footage that we will be looking at either today or tomorrow. I think there is an excellent chance that we will recover some or all of what was taken.

2. To the public – a £1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible. If you have any information, I would ask you to come forward.

You can contact me in confidence on 07810 646711