Guns, axes, explosives: violent museum heists are on the rise, says Europol
After the peak, new reports halved every 16 hours.
What it is about
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2 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 11 original reports
Mon, 24 August 2026
6 reports- tportal (Croatia)08:56first to report
Pljačke muzeja postaju sve nasilnije. Kriminalci koriste sve agresivnije metode, ciljane napade, a same pljačke organiziraju kriminalne mreže koje dolaze s različitih strana svijeta, stoji u danas objavljenom izvještaju Europola
- El Mundo (Spain)11:15
Según un informe del cuerpo policial, ladrones ahora revientan puertas y vitrinas con mazos, hachas y palancas, recurren en ocasiones a explosivos y pueden utilizar armas de fuego para intimidar a vigilantes y visitantes Leer
- The Guardian World14:31
EU police agency says shift could point to involvement of new criminal networks focused on specific artefacts Robberies at European museums are becoming increasingly violent, with thieves sometimes brandishing guns, assaulting staff and using sledgehammers, axes and even explosives to smash their way into buildings and display cases, according to a report by Europol. The EU police agency said that while museum thefts were generally seen as a non-violent form of organised property crime, member...
- El País (Spain)16:27
Un informe de la agencia europea revela atracos más agresivos, menos organizados y con preferencia por objetos fácilmente transformables, como oro y joyas
- tportal (Croatia)21:17Muzeji u Europi postaju meta nasilnih bandi: Razbijaju vitrine, prijete čuvarima i koriste eksploziv
Pljačke muzeja diljem Europe postaju sve nasilnije. Počinitelji najčešće koriste vatreno oružje, sjekire, maljeve pa čak i eksploziv kako bi provalili u zgrade i razbili vitrine, upozorava Europol u novom izvješću. Europska policijska agencija navodi da bi taj zaokret mogao upućivati na pojavu novih kriminalnih skupina usmjerenih na krađu određenih kulturnih predmeta
- Anadolu Agency (AA)23:28
Thieves increasingly use 'sledgehammers, explosives, firearms' while targeting precious metals, gemstones and culturally significant artifacts, EU’s law enforcement agency says
Tue, 25 August 2026
4 reports- ABC News (Australia)01:34
Europe's museum thieves once relied on deception, stealth and reconnaissance, but sledgehammers, axes, and explosives are now the weapons of choice, according to Europol.
- RMF24 (Poland)09:29
Młoty, łomy i materiały wybuchowe. Europol bije na alarm ws. skoków na muzea
- geo.tv11:12
Art thieves in Europe are committing more violent robberies focusing on gold and jewels, and specialist gangs have been replaced by ad hoc opportunists recruited through social media, Europol said on Monday.The heist at...
- ČT24 (Czechia)15:40
Evropská policejní agentura Europol si všímá narůstající násilnosti pachatelů, kteří se vydají pro lup do evropských muzeí. Tento trend dává do souvislosti s nástupem nových zločineckých sítí. Ty cílí na konkrétní cenné artefakty, přičemž překupníky s uměním nahrazují příležitostné skupiny rekrutované prostřednictvím sociálních sítí.
Fri, 28 August 2026
1 report- Vecernji list (Croatia)08:25
I dok austrijska policija o krađi skupocjene ogrlice izvještava šturo, modus operandi te krađe uklapa se u zadnje Europolovo izvješće koje se bavilo - muzejskim krađama