Sledgehammers and explosives more common in museum heists, Europol says

Europol has reported a shift in museum heist tactics, with sledgehammers, axes, and explosives becoming more common as thieves adopt more violent and confrontational methods. This shift contrasts with previous discreet thefts, where deception and stealth were used. In 2024, a large-scale theft of valuable books from libraries across the European Union saw perpetrators replace originals with counterfeit copies.

More recent incidents have involved direct physical assaults on staff and use of firearms to intimidate security personnel and visitors. Europol's report cites examples such as the 2025 Louvre Museum heist in Paris, where thieves smashed glass display cases and stole jewelry within eight minutes. The targeting of precious metals and stones, as well as Chinese cultural artifacts, is also noted as a cultural shift.

These items are attractive to criminal networks due to their visibility, accessibility, and the perception that museum security measures are less robust than those in jewelry stores. Europol suggests that the shift towards violent means in museum thefts could indicate a newer kind of thief, often with a history of involvement in other types of crime and recruited through social media and instant communication channels.

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