[MSN] An art collector has taken part in a television appeal over an armed raid at his home by a gang who stole Lowry paintings worth £1.5m.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Appeal over Lowry paintings raid 
An art collector has taken part in a television appeal over an armed raid at
his home by a gang who stole Lowry paintings worth £1.5m. 
Art collector Ivan Aird was tied up by the robbers who also threatened his
wife and two-year-old daughter during the raid in May. 

Five artworks were taken from their home in Cheadle Hulme, together with
Lowry's palette and brushes. 

A reconstruction of the robbery was featured on Crimewatch on BBC One. 

Police described the raid as "terrifying" and are appealing for help to
trace the robbers and recover the paintings. 

The most valuable works are the Viaduct, at about £700,000 and The Tanker
Entering The Tyne, which is worth between £500,000 and £600,000. 


The others are a pencil sketches - The Bridge at Ringley and The Street
Market. 

The value of the palette and paintbrushes is not known, because they are
said to be so unique. 

Det Con Carolann Eaton said: "This was a despicable crime and the whole
family have been left traumatised by what has happened to them. 

"The stolen paintings are extremely valuable but also hold a great deal of
sentimental value for Mr Aird, as Mr Lowry was a close family friend. 

"The paintings are also North West treasures and are a major part of the
heritage of the region. 

"It would be almost impossible for these distinctive paintings to be sold
on, as they would be immediately recognised as stolen. 

"I would appeal to anyone who has any further information on the people
responsible for this attack, or the current location of the stolen
paintings, to contact us." 





Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7067066.stm