Golden flute stolen at London wine bar

A golden flute worth £50,000 has been stolen from under the feet of a musician drinking at a London wine bar.

The Brannen-Cooper flute, stolen from The Archduke Wine Bar in Southbank

Samuel Coles, principal flautist with the London Philharmonica Orchestra, was drinking at the Archduke Wine Bar in Southbank on 1 October when his Louis Vuitton bag was swiped from under the table. It contained the £50,000 Brannen-Cooper flute and a wooden piccolo worth £10,000.

The 52-year-old classical musician had been performing Schubert’s Ninth Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall just hours before the theft.

Police have released an image of the golden flute and CCTV images of two men they would like speak to in relation to the thefts. They would also like to hear from anyone who may have been approached by the thieves trying to sell the instruments.

One of the men is described as a Mediterranean male with dark short hair with a beard, who was wearing dark trousers. Another is described as a Mediterranean male with dark short hair. He was wearing a light coloured top and was carrying a colourful rucksack.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8649 2405 or 101 and quote crime reference 1230543/15, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have released CCTV images of two suspects they would like to speak to in relation to the theft