Police investigating and share image of man they want to speak to after break-in at historic venue
St Georges Hall. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police are investigating the theft of a rare artwork after criminals broke into one of Liverpool’s most famous buildings. On Monday October 13, a limited edition print of an artwork by former South African President Nelson Mandela was taken from the Mandela Room in St George’s Hall just before 7.45am. There are now fears this may have been a targeted theft.
Damage was caused to the frame during the break-in. The frame was left at the scene and a man was seen leaving the Grade 1 listed building shortly after the incident.
The police have conducted a forensic examination of the scene and worked through hours of CCTV footage in and around the iconic building that lies opposite Liverpool Lime Street Station.
A spokesman for the force said they had liaised with those running the building and Liverpool Council’s City Watch team, which monitors CCTV around the city, since the theft was first reported.
A still image of a man officers believe could have information to assist with those ongoing enquiries has been issued, and anyone who recognises the man pictured is urged to contact police.
The print that was stolen is titled ‘Imprisonment’ and is part of the limited-edition ‘Struggle Series’ produced by Nelson Mandela.
This print, one of a series symbolising the journey of South Africa and its people through the imagery of hands, was gifted to Liverpool’s Mandela8 organisation in 2018 by Dr Makaziwi Mandela during the group’s visit to South Africa.
Since 2018, Mandela’s centenary year, the prints have been on display at St George’s Hall with the blessing of Mandela8, which is a charity that was set up to oversee the installation of a permanent artwork in the Liverpool 8 post code area.
The charity explained that the prints were the first black artworks ever permanently exhibited in St George’s Hall, “marking a significant moment for the city and honouring Mr Mandela, one of the most important global leaders of our time.”
A spokesperson for the charity added: “Mandela8 are concerned that this may not have been a random burglary but a commissioned art theft.
Merseyside Police have shared this image of a man they want to speak to after a rare artwork was stolen from St George’s Hall
“The removal of this artwork represents a profound loss of cultural heritage to the city and an attack on Black heritage in Liverpool, particularly as Nelson Mandela was granted the Freedom of the City in 1994.”
The charity expressed some concern over what they said was a lack of information being put out regarding the crime by Merseyside Police, but the force insisted that a thorough investigation began immediately while officers were liaising with the venue about the theft.
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “We are taking this theft extremely seriously, and have conducted extensive enquiries to establish what happened and to identify the offender.
“This print was a highly valued addition to the Mandela Room at St George’s Hall, and anyone who has visited since it was gifted in 2018 will have seen the powerful image.
“It had been gifted to the Liverpool-based Mandela8 organisation that year by Dr Makaziwi Mandela, a daughter of Nelson Mandela. It shows a pair of hands bound, above the word imprisonment and Nelson Mandela’s signature.
Imprisonment, part of the Struggle Series of artworks by Nelson Mandela, was targeted by a thief at St George’s Hall(Image: Liverpool city council)
“We would urge anyone with any information on this incident or anyone who has seen the art work since it was taken on 13 October to contact us as soon as possible.”
A spokesperson for Mandela8 added: “We urge the public and art community to remain vigilant and report any information regarding the ‘Imprisonment’ print or the Struggle Series to the authorities immediately. The theft of this piece is not only a loss to Mandela8 but to the cultural fabric of Liverpool and the legacy of Nelson Mandela himself.”
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “We are shocked and saddened by the theft of the Nelson Mandela print from St George’s Hall. This artwork, gifted by Dr Makaziwe Mandela, holds deep cultural and historical significance for our city and its communities. We are assisting Merseyside Police with their investigation and liaising with Mandela8. We urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 25000841827.
You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.