Police search and seizure of tainted cultural property since 2003

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.029576

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) Has the police been involved in any search and seizure of tainted cultural property since 2003?

2) If so, are you able to provide a specific number?

3) Has the police been involved in any case pertaining to customs confiscation of tainted cultural property on its import to the UK (from EU and non-EU countries)>

4) If so, what was its role?

5) How many arrests has been made since 2003 due to offences such as theft of cultural property or trade in tainted cultural property?

6) Are you able to estimate how many of these cases, if any, relate to cultural property looted in the UK and how many to cultural property looted or stolen from a different country?
Please mind that " tainted cultural property" should be defined in accordance with Article 2 of the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Has the police been involved in any search and seizure of tainted cultural property since 2003?

Yes the MPS has been involved.

Q2 - If so, are you able to provide a specific number?

This information is not held.

Q3 - Has the police been involved in any case pertaining to customs confiscation of tainted cultural property on its import to the UK (from EU and non-EU countries?

Yes the MPS has been involved.

Q4 - If so, what was its role?

The UK police were responsible for the investigating the matter and for submitting the case file to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Q5 - How many arrests has been made since 2003 due to offences such as theft of cultural property or trade in tainted cultural property?

Since 2016 the Art and Antiques Unit (AAU) have arrested at least ten individuals linked to tainted cultural property. Unfortunately, the MPS is unable to provide data prior to this date as to do so would consist of a manual review of historical documents and I have been advised that this would take in excess of the 18hrs provided under the Act.

Q6 - Are you able to estimate how many of these cases, if any, relate to cultural property looted in the UK and how many to cultural property looted or stolen from a different country

The Met’s Art and Antiques Unit only deals with matters pertaining to the MPS, therefore we are unable to answer this question for you as you have requested information in relation to the UK.