Criminal gangs targeting high-value works of art in UK
In May last year, a rare medieval jug was stolen from a high-security display cabinet in Luton.
Organised
criminal gangs are increasingly targeting valuable works of art and
antiques in the UK, according to senior police officers.
Figures suggest these thefts total more than £300m a year, second only to the proceeds of crime from drug dealing.
Detectives say the gangs are prepared to use extreme violence to get what they want during the robberies.
A new strategy will be launched on Monday by police and English Heritage to tackle this kind of crime.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) claims there
is a growing trend for organised crime groups to prey on works of art
displayed in museums, libraries, archives and private collections to
fund further criminality.
“
Karen Perkins Director of Arts & Museums at Luton CultureIt was like a personal attack and we were determined to get it back”
"It is a significant concern to
us," said Andy Bliss, chief constable of Hertfordshire, who is in charge
of ACPO's heritage and cultural property crime working group.
"Just a single item can be worth many millions of pounds and
those sorts of items will appeal to criminals right around the world."
The theft of art and antiques in the UK is estimated at
£300m, second only to drug dealing and more costly than the theft of
stolen vehicles, according to a police report being released on Monday.
Figures from the Art Loss Register show that, since 1991,
about 60,000 items of art, antiques or collectables have been reported
to it as lost, stolen or looted from the UK.
'Personal attack'
In May last year, a rare medieval jug was stolen from a
high-security display cabinet at the Stockwood Discovery Centre in
Luton.
At the time it was one of only three known in the world and is worth £750,000.
"After the theft, everyone was in a state of shock and people
were very angry. It was like a personal attack and we were determined
to get it back," said Karen Perkins, director of arts and museums at
Luton Culture.
The Wenlok jug was eventually recovered by the police and
returned to the museum but is yet to be put back on display owing to the
damage it sustained.
One man was jailed for more than two years for handling stolen goods.
"So many museums at the moment are not having success
stories. They are not having their objects returned, so we felt very
lucky" said Ms Perkins.
Organised crime
Det Supt Adrian Green investigates serious heritage crime across the country and told BBC Radio 5 live Investigates that objects are being stolen here and then shipped abroad to be sold to dealers and collectors.
Listen to the full report on 5 live Investigates on BBC Radio 5
live on Sunday, 17 November at 11:00 GMT or download the programme
podcast.
"This is top-level international organised crime and it runs into tens of millions of pounds.
"What we're seeing is that the value of items is increasing
but also the level of violence that they are prepared to use is
increasing, which is obviously a major concern to law enforcement.
"It's robbing our communities of their heritage but it's also putting millions of pounds into the pockets of criminals."
On Monday, an ACPO-led taskforce, made up of representatives
including English Heritage, the National Crime Agency and law
enforcement professionals, will unveil their latest strategy to tackle
this crime.
Their plan includes a national intelligence database and more dedicated officers.
"They may major in art and antiquities but very often there
will be links to money laundering, there'll be links to violence and
firearms, and often of course to drugs.
"Where there's money to be made, organised criminals will move in if we don't stop them." said Mr Bliss.