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Appeal after 'priceless' 280-year-old violin stolen from London pub

The violin was made in Florence in 1740
The violin was made in Florence in 1740

Police in London are appealing for information after a £150,000 (€175k) violin was stolen from a pub in Islington.

The instrument, which belongs to a member of the London Philharmonia Orchestra, is believed to have been taken from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street on 18 February.

The 30-year-old owner reported the theft to the Metropolitan Police that evening, police said

PC Michael Collins, from the Met's local policing team in Camden, said officers were releasing CCTV in an attempt to try and identify the suspect.

Met Police issued stills of the person they want to question over the theft of the violin

"We've been working hard to try and locate the suspect and are releasing this CCTV in an effort to help identify them as soon as possible.

"The victim, who is a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, has told us the piece is worth more than £150,000 and was made in Florence in 1740."

He added: "It is incredibly precious, and for the victim, it's priceless."