Police still have ‘nothing to go on’ three years after a £4m toilet was stolen in an audacious robbery from Blenheim Palace.
Detectives are still trying to catch the crooks who stole the lavatory from an art exhibition at the mansion in Oxfordshire.
Cops have admitted that despite making several arrests in connection with the theft, no-one has been charged.
It is also understood cops have “nothing to go on” in the way of new leads.
It comes as officers from Thames Valley Police have renewed their appeal for anyone with information about the daring theft in 2019 to contact them.
The lavish lavatory, created by artist Maurizio Cattelan, was on display as part of an exhibition called ‘America’ at Winston Churchill’s birthplace.
Just before 5am on September 14, 2019, a daring gang of thieves broke into the palace and ripped the newly-installed gold toilet, which was fully plumbed in, from the floor.
Detectives investigating the theft revealed that the gang fled in two getaway vehicles, leaving behind the flushing mechanism and the toilet roll.
At the time, Detective Inspector Jess Milne, of Thames Valley Police said: ‘The piece of art that has been stolen is a high-value toilet made out of gold that was on display at the palace.
‘Due to the toilet being plumbed into the building, this has caused significant damage and flooding. We believe a group of offenders used at least two vehicles during the offence.’
Ever since the daring theft, detectives have been hunting the thieves and the toilet, which has still not been found despite an extensive search.
At the time, the artist Mr Cattelan insisted to journalists that the theft was not a stunt. He said: ‘I wish it was a prank. At first, when they woke me up with the news, I thought it was a prank: Who’s so stupid as to steal a toilet?
‘I had forgotten for a second that it was made out of gold.’
Blenheim Palace’s chief executive also admitted that the historic venue’s security measures needed to be challenged after the 18-carat gold toilet was stolen.
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Dominic Hare said a gang ‘mounted a very fast smash-and-grab raid’ at the palace.
He added: ‘The palace has a sophisticated security system but what has happened has happened, so clearly we need to challenge ourselves on that.’
Since the burglary, detectives have arrested a number of people, including a pensioner.
However, none have been charged.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: ‘Those arrested in connection with the incident remain released under investigation. No charges have yet been brought but the enquiry is still active and ongoing.
‘A 38-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. A 69-year-old man from Evesham has been arrested on suspicion of burglary.
‘A 37-year-old man from Cheltenham has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle. A 38-year-old man, a 37-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, all from Oxford, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit a burglary other than a dwelling.
‘A 46-year-old man from Kent was arrested on suspicion of burglary. All of these people have been arrested and then released under investigation. No charges have been made.’
Blenheim Palace declined to comment about the ongoing investigation.