NCJ Number
105347
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 1-10
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This review of art theft in several nations considers the extent of the crime, the motives involved, the law enforcement response, and security measures. It concludes that more coordinated and concentrated efforts will be necessary to have an impact on this crime.
Abstract
Art sales have dramatically increased in value in recent years, and art theft is a growing concern in many nations. The lack of separate data on art theft in the United States makes it difficult to obtain definitive statistics on the scope of the problem. However, the International Association of Art Security estimated that $50 million worth of art was stolen in 14,781 thefts in the United States during 1977. Estimates of the recovery of stolen art range from 2 to 13 percent. Ragideau has classified art thieves into three types: professionals who specialize in art theft, habitual burglars who will take anything they can sell, and common burglars who will take anything. Several authors have noted the involvement of organized crime in art theft. To date, law enforcement agencies have not been effective in curbing art thefts, although some agencies in the United States have formed specialized units or interagency task forces to conduct investigations. Great Britain, France, and Italy have specialized investigative units and computerized art theft reports. Today, the use of scientific security devices has allowed museums to decrease the number of security guards by as much as 40 percent. To reduce art theft, victimized nations need to continue to meet to develop an organized strategy and museums must initiate more self-policing.