Pokémon cards worth thousands stolen in £30k Trove market raid

A group of independent collectors and traders has been left devastated following a high-value overnight raid at the Trove marketplace, where thieves stole approximately £30,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards and associated collectibles.

The burglary, which occurred shortly before 11:00 PM on March 4, 2026, saw intruders break into the popular retail space. Once inside, the perpetrators smashed security glass and ransacked display cabinets, specifically targeting high-value trading card stock belonging to seven independent small businesses operating within the collective mall.

Mark Battistini, the owner of Trove, described the aftermath as "absolutely heartbreaking." The severity of the damage to the building and display cabinets forced the venue to remain closed the following day while forensic investigations were carried out.

“For several of these traders, this was their entire inventory and their primary source of livelihood,” Battistini explained. “To have it wiped out in a single night is a massive blow.”

In response to the theft, the management at Trove has announced a £1,000 reward for any information leading to the conviction of the thieves or the recovery of the stolen items. Local trading card communities and hobby shops have been urged to remain vigilant and report anyone attempting to sell large quantities of rare Pokémon cards without proper verification.

Gloucestershire Police are currently investigating the incident, examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area, and looking into potential links with similar recent high-profile trading card thefts across the country.