Museum robberies are taking a more dangerous turn across Europe, with organised criminal groups increasingly using heavy tools, explosives and other forms of force to steal valuable
works and cultural treasures, Europol has warned.
The European Union’s law-enforcement agency said museum theft had traditionally been regarded as a comparatively low-violence form of organised crime. Recent investigations, however, suggest that criminals are becoming more aggressive as they pursue objects that can generate substantial profits on illegal markets.
According to Europol, authorities in several EU member states have recorded offenders using sledgehammers, axes and crowbars to break through doors, walls and reinforced display cases. In some cases, criminals have gone further, using explosives to force their way into museums or gain access to protected collections.
The agency says the growing attraction of precious metals and gemstones is one factor behind the trend. Gold and silver prices have risen sharply in recent years, while valuable jewellery and gemstones can be relatively easy to transport and potentially sell through illicit networks.
Explosives used in Dutch museum raid
The dramatic burglary at the Drents Museum in Assen illustrates the increasingly aggressive methods identified by Europol.
In January 2025, thieves used explosives to enter the museum and steal a collection of Romanian archaeological treasures. Among the stolen objects was the Coțofenești gold helmet, an ancient artefact of major cultural importance.
The helmet was subsequently recovered by Dutch police in April 2026, bringing an important part of the investigation to a close. The case nevertheless highlighted the vulnerability of cultural institutions to highly organised and technically capable criminal groups.
The Louvre robbery in Paris has provided another striking example of the scale of the threat. Thieves targeted France’s historic crown jewels and escaped with jewellery estimated to be worth around €88 million.
Although the circumstances of individual robberies vary, Europol says the cases demonstrate how cultural institutions can become targets when valuable objects combine high monetary worth with strong demand among collectors and criminal buyers.
Ancient Asian treasures also targeted
Europol has also identified growing criminal interest in ancient Chinese cultural objects. Such artefacts can command high prices among private collectors and may be particularly attractive to thieves because of established demand in international markets.
A burglary at the Princessehof Ceramics Museum in Leeuwarden in 2023 illustrates this risk. Several objects were stolen, including Chinese vases and dishes, many of them dating from the 17th century.
The agency's assessment suggests that criminals are not necessarily focused solely on famous masterpieces. Smaller objects made from precious materials or items with strong specialist demand can also be attractive because they may be easier to conceal, transport and sell.
Growing challenge for museums
The changing nature of museum theft is creating a difficult security challenge for cultural institutions. Museums must protect objects not only from traditional burglary techniques but also from increasingly forceful attacks that can endanger staff, visitors and first responders.
Europol’s warning also underscores the international nature of the problem. Stolen cultural property can quickly cross borders, making cooperation between police forces, customs authorities, museums, insurers and specialist investigators essential.
The agency's findings indicate that the market for stolen cultural property is evolving alongside wider criminal trends. Rising commodity prices, international demand for collectable objects and sophisticated organised-crime networks are making museums an increasingly attractive target.
For European museums, the message is clear: protecting cultural heritage is no longer simply a matter of preventing theft. Security measures must also account for criminals willing to use significant levels of violence and even explosives to reach valuable collections. Photo by OSeveno, Wikimedia commons.
