DETECTIVES are appealing for information after more than £35,000 worth of guns and ammunition were stolen from an antique weapons collector.
The victim, a 59-year old Holmfirth man, returned home at 1am on January 8 to find his New Laith Bank house had been broken into and a steel gun cabinet containing 17 antique firearms had been stolen.
The burglars also took live rounds and cartridges for the guns, jewellery and £1,000 cash.
Police said the haul of stolen firearms included 12 antique shotguns, two pistols, air pistols and a musket.
The owner had a licence to keep the firearms.
Two men aged 26 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of burglary but have now been released on bail.
Det Insp Jim Griffiths of Huddersfield CID said it was unlikely the weapons would be used for criminal purposes.
He said: “While these firearms are classed as live firearms, they are antiques and likely to only have been stolen because of their value.
“I would appeal for anyone with any information on this crime or anyone who is offered any antique firearms for sale, to contact Huddersfield CID.”
Anyone with any information regarding the crime is asked to contact detectives via the non emergency line on 0845 6060606.
