00:00It's a daring smash and grab. Burglars broke into the National Porcelain Museum through
00:06a simple window, stealing three national treasures shortly after 3am on Thursday. Two Chinese
00:12porcelain dishes, dating back to the 14th and 15th century, and this vase. An alarm
00:18was triggered, but the thieves had already fled when police arrived on the scene.
00:23Things happened so quickly. We were stunned and then frustrated.
00:30The break-in occurred through this ground-floor window which overlooks the gallery displaying
00:34Chinese porcelain. Experts believe the thieves had pre-selected the works, knowing precisely
00:40where to find them.
00:41These are really special pieces. They must have been identified before the theft and required
00:49a great deal of care when they were wrapped up before they were stolen.
00:56The stolen items are valued at over 6 million euros, but because they are catalogued and
01:01traceable, they cannot be sold on the open market.
01:04The Central Office for Combating the Trafficking of Cultural Objects is quickly disseminating
01:10photographs of these works to prevent resale, or at least to make it more difficult.
01:16An investigation is now underway. The Limoges Public Prosecutor's Office is analysing
01:21surveillance footage from both the museum and the city to try and identify the theft.
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