Europol warns of increasingly destructive art theft methods

A new wave of crimes targeting cultural heritage is being recorded across Europe, with criminals increasingly turning to destructive methods, according to a recent Europol report.

The findings show that, thieves are breaking through walls and using sledgehammers, axes, crowbars and even explosives to gain access to museums and other sites, Caliber.Az reports

In January 2025, robbers blew up a museum in the Netherlands and stole three gold bracelets and a helmet dating back 2,500 years. Some of the items were later recovered.

Later that year, a high-profile robbery at the Louvre saw criminals use angle grinders to steal jewellery valued at €88 million ($96 million).

Europol said that over the past two years, gold items and precious stones have been the main targets. Gold can be melted down, while stones can be removed and sold separately.

The report also noted growing interest among criminals in ancient Chinese porcelain.

By Aghakazim Guliyev