A new report from Europol, titled 'Changing Tactics, Changing Targets: The Evolving Nature of Museum Heists,' reveals the methods and targets of museum thefts throughout Europe.
It notes an increase in violent and forceful approaches, along with a heightened focus on high-value objects like precious metals, gemstones, and culturally important artefacts.
More violent, more targeted
A significant finding is that museum thefts are escalating in violence, as offenders increasingly employ tools such as sledgehammers, explosives, and firearms to break into premises and threaten staff.
Additionally, thieves are increasingly targeting precious metals, gemstones, and culturally important artefacts due to high market demand and the ease of illicit resale.
The report indicates that new criminal actors are involved, such as ad-hoc groups recruited through social media, diverging from traditional, non-violent cultural property traffickers.
Culprits can also be opportunists from other criminal sectors, attracted by the low-risk, high-profit potential of museum heists.
High-profile cases
The report highlights key cases like the Dacian artefacts theft (Netherlands, 2025), the Louvre heist (France, 2025), and the Cognacq-Jay Museum attack (France, 2024).
The Louvre in Paris was the victim of a €88m jewel theft in October 2025 Image credit Olivier Ouadah
In October 2025, four thieves stole eight pieces of jewellery valued at €88m from the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon in a seven-minute daytime robbery. These include a diamond and emerald necklace, a jewelled headband with nearly 2,000 diamonds, and a necklace containing eight sapphires and 631 diamonds.
The thieves used a truck equipped with a mechanical lift and entered the gallery via a balcony close to the River Seine.
Earlier this summer, a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also warned that UK museums are vulnerable to cyberattacks and theft.
Following several high-profile security failures in recent years, including a cyber-attack at the British Library and thefts at the British Museum, the report identified weaknesses in security across the sector.
