News

Stolen

A lawyer writes: Stolen items – it’s wise to know your limitations

18 September 2023

Ownership claims can rest on a six-year restriction and proving good faith

Stolen Martinware bird returned to museum after 15 years

14 September 2023

A third stolen Martinware bird has been recovered more than 15 years after it was stolen in west London.

Police appeal after antiques stolen from retired Merseyside dealer

06 September 2023

Valuable antiques and jewellery were stolen from a former dealer’s home in Rainford, St Helens and the police are appealing for help.

British Museum ‘is being unfair to the trade’ by not releasing list of missing items

04 September 2023

Demands are growing in the antiquities trade for the British Museum to publish a list of objects stolen in an alleged theft from its collection by a member of staff.

Trade concerns grow after British Museum items ‘offered on eBay’

28 August 2023

Concerns have been raised in the antiquities trade that items allegedly stolen from the British Museum by a staff member and offered on eBay may start emerging on the wider market.

British Museum director resigns and apologises in wake of thefts

25 August 2023

British Museum director Hartwig Fischer has announced that he will be stepping down from his position with immediate effect after a series of thefts emerged.

Hever Castle reissues plea for return of miniatures stolen 20 years ago

23 August 2023

Twenty years ago a man walked into Anne Boleyn’s bedroom at Hever Castle and stole five miniature portraits from a glass vitrine cabinet.

Police appeal for stolen Ming dynasty Chinese doucai cup

22 August 2023

The Metropolitan Police is offering a Serious Crime Reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the recovery of a Ming Dynasty cup stolen in 2019 but still missing.

Investigation launched after gold jewellery and gemstones stolen from British Museum

17 August 2023

The British Museum is investigating the theft of jewellery and has dismissed a member of staff following the discovery that items from its “collection were found to be missing, stolen or damaged”.

Fairs boost security amid thefts alert

07 August 2023

Market and fair organisers have told ATG they are bolstering security following a spate of recent thefts targeting the jewellery trade.

Plea to help trace missing necklaces

29 July 2023

The antiques and jewellery trade are being asked to look out for a necklace lost by actress and author Dame Sheila Hancock and a locket stolen from a 91-year-old woman.

Dealer calls on trade and public to aid recovery of stolen Asian art

27 July 2023

JAN Fine Art has asked that the art and antiques trade be aware of two thefts made at its Kensington Church Street, London, premises.

Plea to help locate stolen antique jewellery

20 July 2023

Two antique jewellery dealers are calling on the trade to help locate around £50,000 worth of jewellery that has been stolen in London.

ATG letter: Your coverage of thefts really does make a difference to us

17 July 2023

Thank you so much for taking notice of the plight of stallholders in London markets and fairs (ATG Nos 2599 & 2600).

New jewellery thefts increase trade fears of violent gangs

03 July 2023

A spate of jewellery-related crimes was reported in the last month, sparking further concerns for those in the trade.

ATG letter: How stolen items can be traced using our register

03 July 2023

In the July 1 edition (ATG No 2599) there is the sad case of the theft of £100,000 of jewellery and a letter from a dealer on a number of other thefts.

Jewellery dealer targeted at Kingston antiques market

29 June 2023

A jewellery dealer lost a significant amount of stock from her stall at Ancient Market Place, Kingston after thieves used diversionary tactics.

Jewellery dealer warns of thieves now targeting the trade

26 June 2023

A Camden Passage jewellery dealer suffered a devastating loss of his entire stock after a theft from his stand at the London market.

ATG letter: Spate of robberies hitting dealers is not opportunistic