Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler said it was a "sad, sad day for Bermuda" when authorities realised Tuesday that several priceless gold artefacts from the days of exploration have been stolen from the Maritime Museum in recent weeks.

The items are believed to have been taken from display cases sometime within the last three weeks and include a gold nugget (circa 1621), a large round gold ingot (circa 1595) and a gold chain (circa 1621).

Visitors to the Ireland Island museum reported to staff that several items were missing from displays in the Treasury Room and Police were summoned after 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Executive Director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum Dr. Edward Harris said: "This is an unfortunate occurrence, it's the first time in 30 years that this has happened."

He added: "The matter is under Police investigation and we will await the outcome of their investigation before we issue a press release."

When asked if any steps would be taken to reviewing security at the museum Dr. Harris said the museum would not make any decision on security until the investigation has been concluded.

"This is a sad, sad day for Bermuda, I am absolutely horrified that historical artefacts in Bermuda would disappear," Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Dale Butler said.

He added: "It is recognised that Bermuda has numerous national treasures but we need to increase security at the museum. We cannot tolerate this and we hope the law prosecutes the guilty culprits to the highest."

The Minister said he hopes that if the culprits are Bermudian they will rethink their actions and return the items and if they were stolen by foreigners they would also rethink their actions and return the artefacts.

The Minister feels confident that the Bermuda Maritime Museum will do a fine job in re-examining it's security protocols.

A Police Media Relations spokesman said: "We are taking this incident seriously as we would like to see a happy conclusion. Whilst the theft of historical items is serious, we are using all the resources we can to recover these items."

It is believed that no outside investigators have been called in assist.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information about this incident to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010 or the confidential Crimestoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477.