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Protection and prevention
What is illicit?
Illicit activity regarding cultural objects includes the traffic in items unlawfully removed from archaeological sites or monuments; objects stolen from their rightful owners such as private individuals or a public collection; and the illegal export of an object. Activities such as these are criminal offences in the UK under the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 (see Legislation), the Theft Act 1968 and the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. An activity is illicit if it contravenes the law in the UK or any other country or territory. Further information is available in Factsheet Legislation.
Why prevent illicit activity?
The illicit traffic in cultural property damages our knowledge of the past; it costs money and harms reputations; it robs people of their history and identity. It is in all our interests to comply with the law in this area and to act ethically and responsibly.
What checks must I make when buying an object?
There are simple checks that should be made prior to and during the purchase of an object so that the transaction can be recorded and traced in the future if necessary. Checklist Buying with confidence provides guidance on this area. Further information is available in the Buying with confidence section of this site.
How do I protect objects from theft?
Keeping a record of cultural objects is a sensible measure for their protection. Such documentation should be kept safely away from the object and include a photograph and a short description. The Metropolitan Police Crime Prevention pages on art and antiques provide more detailed advice on this as do the professional trade associations for those dealing in art, antiques and antiquities (Factsheet Professional trade associations). Factsheet Databases of stolen art describes a number of databases of stolen art against which an object can be checked prior to purchase. A number of companies offer marking systems for everyday objects which can help to trace them if stolen. Factsheet Marking systems provides further information. Collections Link's Take Care of Security pages are also useful in this context.
What do I do to safeguard objects?
The professional trade associations for art, antiques and antiquities dealers (see Factsheet Professional trade associations) are a valuable source of advice on this area. Further advice is often available from conservators and restorers (refer to the Conservation Register for further information and resources).
