AN ART thief has struck in Bovey Tracey, snatching a precious gold and enamel miniature picture ‘of unusually high value’ in broad daylight.

The treasure (pictured) was grabbed from a locked display cabinet at the town’s Jubilee Gallery at the Devon Guild of Craftsman in Station Road on April 5, a Thursday.

The brazen offender, reckoned to be a professional, struck between 11.30am and 1.30pm when he prised open the unit and grabbed the expensive booty within.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them immediately.

A CID spokesman said: ‘The piece is 18 carat gold and measures 128mm x 78mm and is of a high value.’

Anyone able to help with inquiries should should contact Det Con Hoskin-Cole on [email protected] or by calling 101 quoting crime reference CR/028917/18.

A Guild spokesman said: ‘The exhibition contained a small number of unusually high value items.

The thief forced open the top corner of the cabinet holding 14 commissioned gold and enamel miniatures.

‘It appears to have been professionally done. The thief reached past four other pieces to take the one they wanted, leaving the cabinet looking very passably untouched.’

The spokesman added: ‘Given the nature of the crime and the value of the piece it has been referred to CID. A forensic specialist has been on site.’

The targeted exhibition - Made to Commission - showcases artists who are commissioned for private and public works.

It remains open to the public until May 7, although the enamel miniatures will now only be shown as facsimiles.

Profits from the gallery, shop and café at the venue fund a programme of free family activities, community projects and artist placements in schools and colleges as well as supporting artists developing their creative careers.