The British Museum in London has sacked a member of staff, and police are investigating after artefacts were reported “missing, stolen, or damaged.”
Items missing from the museum, one of the major tourist attractions in the UK, include gold, jewellery, and semi-precious stone jewels.
According to the museum, the bulk of the artefacts were housed in storage.
The British Museum’s director, Hartwig Fischer, stated that the institution will “throw our efforts into the recovery of objects.”
“This is a highly unusual incident,” he noted. I believe I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that we take the security of all assets under our care very seriously.
“We have already tightened our security measures and are collaborating with outside experts to compile a definitive list of what is missing, damaged, and stolen.”
They further stated that legal action will be taken against the sacked employee.
The Metropolitan Police’s Economic Crime Command is investigating, but no arrests have been made.
The British Museum has also begun an independent security examination.
None of the pieces, which ranged in period from the 15th to the 19th centuries AD, had previously been on exhibit and were retained largely for scholarly and research purposes, according to the museum.
According to the PA news agency, the objects were stolen before 2023 and over a “significant” period of time.
“The trustees were extremely concerned when we learned earlier this year that items from the collection had been stolen,” said George Osborne, chair of the British Museum.
“We called in the police, imposed emergency measures to increase security, established an independent review into what happened and lessons to be learned, and used all of the disciplinary powers at our disposal to deal with the individual we believe is responsible,” he continued.
Mr. Fischer went on to say that the group has “put an end to this” and is “determined to make things right.”
‘Difficult work’
Former trustee Sir Nigel Boardman and British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi will lead the museum’s independent inquiry.
According to the museum, they will make recommendations for future security measures and launch “a vigorous programme to recover the missing items.”
“It will be a painstaking job, involving internal and external experts,” Sir Nigel added, “but this is an absolute priority, however long it takes, and we are grateful for the help we have already received.”
Every year, around six million people visit the Bloomsbury-based attraction.
Its collection covers six continents and two million years of history, including the Parthenon sculptures, popularly known as the Elgin Marbles, whose destiny is being debated.
