Additional images of stolen civic chains have been released by detectives investigating a theft at the Town Hall in Southwold.

Eastern Daily Press: Police have released new images of Southwold's stolen civic chains. Picture: COURTESY OF SUFFOLK POLICEPolice have released new images of Southwold's stolen civic chains. Picture: COURTESY OF SUFFOLK POLICE (Image: Archant)

The break-in happened at sometime between Friday, December 2 and Monday, December at the town hall on Market Place.

The suspects forced entry via the back of the building and made a search, before damaging a key cabinet and removing three civic chains – one large and two small.

Eastern Daily Press: Police have released new images of Southwold's stolen civic chains. Picture: COURTESY OF SUFFOLK POLICEPolice have released new images of Southwold's stolen civic chains. Picture: COURTESY OF SUFFOLK POLICE (Image: Archant)

It resulted in the loss of valuable items including the mayoral chains, the deputy mayoral chains and the mayor's consort's chains.

Earlier this month, Southwold town mayor, Melanie Tucker, urged anyone with information to come forward. She said: 'Hundreds of years of Southwold's history have been stolen. The chains are used in town ceremonies and are part of the essence of the town and we would like them back.

'If anybody has any information, however apparently insignificant, please get in touch.'

Today, detectives have issued additional images of the mayoral chains that were stolen in an attempt to trace them and are appealing to anyone who recognises them, or who has information about the theft of the historic artefacts, to contact Lowestoft CID on 101, quoting reference 69977/16. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.