Romany caravans stolen from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Museum, near Stratford Upon Aven

Inc 82 Friday 11 May traditional caravans stolen from Mary Ardens House Museum, Wilmcote near Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire.

Two traditional Romany caravans, valued at around £50,000, have been stolen from a barn at Mary Ardens House in Wilmcote, near Stratford upon Avon, which is part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The decorated caravans were taken from an open barn within the museum compound some time between 6pm on Thursday evening May 10 and 5.30am on Friday May 11. The thieves cut through a metal chain securing a wooden farm gate to gain access to area where the wagons were on display. They would then have had to man handle them out of the gate and onto the road to load them on to a low loader or trailer in order to take them away.

It is believed the they were taken out of the village along Station Road towards the A3400 Birmingham Road.

The caravans, which have a high historical value are described as follows.

One was a Romany Ledge top caravan, made by Bill Wright of Leeds in 1900. The caravan is predominantly dark red in colour and is decorated with horses and scroll work in gold. The caravan also has its original cart wheels which are painted yellow. Only two of the four wheels have the original brass hubs caps.

The second caravan is a Romany bow-top wagon, also made by Bill Wright of Leeds in 1900. This one has a green canvas canopy. The body of the caravan is painted green and has decorations of horses and scroll work in gold. The caravan has four original cart wheels, which are painted yellow. Only two of the wheels have the original brass hub caps.

Anyone who has any information about the theft of these valuable and historically important vehicles is asked to contact PC Sue Neville at Alcester Police Station on 01789 444820, voicemail 10472, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where the information can be given anonymously.