NCJ Number
130026
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 53-55
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The responsibility for investigating arts and antiques crime in London rests with the Metropolitan Police.
Abstract
Arts and antiques crime involves not only shady collectors who are looking for particular items, but also innocent purchasers and museums, money launderers seeking a way to clean dirty money through investment in art, and just plain thieves. The Metropolitan Police has an Arts and Antiquities Squad which receives information daily on the latest fakes, thefts, and suspects. The squad maintains high-level contacts with individuals in the arts and antiques market. Computer assistance is provided by the Metropolitan Police's Crime Reporting Information System. Details on fakes, thefts, suspects, and victims and descriptive information on stolen and recovered items are kept on computer. The squad has found that stolen items are increasingly finding their way to auction houses and sales. In most cases, the item in question passes through seven or eight hands. The most common items brought to an auction house for evaluation and sale are paintings, books, ceramics, bronzes, clocks, and models. Arts and antiques crime is a unique area of law enforcement, but London's Metropolitan Police is making progress in reducing such crime and in restoring the confidence of legitimate buyers and sellers.