[CPProt.net] Protecting the world's art treasures

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Protecting the world's art treasures 
By Darren Waters 
BBC News entertainment staff  
September 30, 2005


The Federal Bureau of Investigation describes art theft as a "small but ugly
criminal speciality" and estimates that artworks worth around $8bn (£4.5bn)
a year are stolen around the world. As an exhibition of Edvard Munch
paintings opens in London, can art ever be safe from thieves? 


One of the most recent, and certainly the most high-profile, art thefts took
place at the Munch Museum in Oslo last year. 

Two paintings, one of them the iconic Munch work The Scream, were stolen by
two armed men in August. They walked into the museum and simply tore the
paintings from the walls before running to a getaway car. 

The museum - which has more than 1,000 Munch paintings - has loaned a large
number of works to the Royal Academy for an exhibition of the artist's
self-portraits, which opens on Saturday. 

Ton Cremers, founder of the Museum Security Network, says art theft remains
a major threat around the world. 

"According to Interpol and the FBI and Interpol it is the third largest
illegal trade after drugs and weapons," says Mr Cremers, who offers a
consultancy to individuals and institutions on issues of theft and forgery. 

Victims 

He says museums are the victims of theft in 15% of all art robberies. 

"They are the ones in the headlines, private collectors are not." 

He adds: "The awareness of theft and security has increased in the last 20
years. But too many museums rely only on electronic equipment, not realising
that you also need a good security organisation as well." 


However, he says that British museums generally have better security than
museums on continental Europe. 

Since the 2004 theft in Oslo, the Munch museum has spent almost £3.5m on
improving its security. 

"The Munch Museum have gone very far with their security but it is still a
good visitor experience," says Mr Cremers. "They have shown plenty of
courage in taking this step." 

Electronic ticketing, a security entrance similar to airport passport
control, bullet-proof glass for the most prized works and a long hall which
can be closed at both ends to trap thieves are among the measures installed.


'Main problem' 

"Everyone has to go through a metal detector and every bag has to go on a
conveyor belt and is scanned," says Jorunn Christoffersen, head of
information at the museum. 

"Our main problem was the distance between the entrance and the halls, where
very valuable paintings were shown, was too short. That is why we have made
the entrance longer." 

She adds: "Very few museums have sufficient protection if armed robbers
enter. 


"It is much more difficult in buildings like Tate Modern which are so big.
You have to walk and walk and walk even before you see a painting." 

Ms Christoffersen says the museum still has some concerns, including fears
of a potential hostage situation if a robbery was attempted in the future. 

'Hostage situation' 

"There is the danger of a hostage situation with so many obstacles now in
the museum. Even if we have done everything to prevent this from happening."


With so many of its paintings on loan in London the museum has taken every
step to ensure they are safe. 


"Our head of security has been in close contact with the Royal Academy and
is in London now. He is also meeting with security heads at other museums,
including Tate Modern and Tate Britain. 

"He has made sure the paintings are safe at the Royal Academy." 

Mr Cremers says: "If you were a private collector I would say - don't tell
people about your artwork, don't show them and keep it in the heart of the
house. 

"Museums have to do the exact opposite." 

Tore Hoifodt, head of communications at DNV, the firm which carried out the
security assessment at the Munch Museum after the theft, says no museum
would ever be robbery proof. 

"If you turned a museum into a fortress, perhaps it would be, but you want
as many visitors in there as possible." 

He says changes to the entrance at the museum, making it less open and less
accessible, are measures which could be applied to all museums and
galleries. 

"Some people feel the museum is less accessible, but it is a difficult
balance." 

Mr Cremers says improvements in security techniques would further protect
art. 

"Access control will change. There have been a lot of improvements to
showcases and new techniques in tracking the movement of objects around
museums." 


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/arts/4289668.stm