Robberies at European museums are increasingly involving violent and forceful methods, according to a report published by Europol on Monday. The EU police agency stated that while museum thefts were typically considered non-violent, a recent shift has been detected by member states.
The report details instances where thieves have brandished guns, assaulted staff, and used sledgehammers, axes, and explosives to gain entry to buildings and display cases. This change could indicate the involvement of new criminal networks focusing on specific cultural artefacts.
Europol's findings suggest that precious metals, jewellery, and ancient Chinese porcelain artefacts are preferred targets due to their value and ease of resale. The report also notes that some thieves apprehended in recent cases appear to coordinate efforts on an ad hoc basis, potentially recruited locally through social media.
Examples cited in the report include a January 2025 incident where a gang used explosives at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, and a 2024 heist at the Cognacq-Jay art museum in Paris involving suspects with baseball bats and axes. The Louvre also experienced a violent theft in October 2025, where thieves broke a window, threatened guards and visitors, and stole jewellery worth an estimated €88m.