British Museum: ‘Close to 2,000’ artefacts value thousands and thousands stolen

Close to 2,000 artefacts value thousands and thousands of kilos are believed to have been stolen from the British Museum by considered one of its senior curators. 

The museum stated final week that gadgets from its assortment had been “missing, stolen or damaged” and an unnamed employees member had been sacked.

The museum didn’t specify what number of gadgets had been stolen or detailed what the lacking gadgets had been, saying solely that they had been “small pieces” together with “gold jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD”.

The majority had been “kept in a storeroom belonging to one of the museum’s collections” and primarily used for educational and analysis work. None had not too long ago been on public show.

The variety of the stolen gadgets is now believed to be “well over 1,000” and “closer to 2,000”, with a worth operating into “millions of pounds”, the Daily Telegraph reviews.

It additionally seems “increasingly likely” that the museum may by no means know precisely what has been stolen due to “gaps in its inventory,” the paper stated.

The financial crime command of the Metropolitan Police is investigating however no arrests have been made. The British Museum is taking authorized motion towards the employees member, later named as senior curator Peter Higgs.

Mr Higgs, considered considered one of Britain’s prime specialists on Greek and Mediterranean artefacts, was the British Museum’s curator of Mediterranean cultures till earlier this yr.

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The 56-year-old had labored on the museum for nearly three a long time. His household stated he denies any wrongdoing.

An antiquities skilled told museum officials three years ago that artefacts from its assortment had been put on sale on eBay. One Roman object, valued at £25,000 to £50,000 by sellers, was provided for simply £40.

A museum supply instructed the Telegraph that the directorate’s dealing with of the case has been “negligent and incompetent”.

An unbiased evaluation of safety has been launched. The evaluation might be led by former museum trustee Sir Nigel Boardman, and Lucy D’Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police, who will “kickstart” a “vigorous” programme to recuperate the stolen gadgets.