Cultural Heritage Crime

The Nordic dimension

This report contains the first Nordic study of cultural heritage crime.

The publication can not be ordered

Theft and looting

The report includes theft of cultural objects from preservers, such as museums and churches, and from dealers, such as antique shops and auction houses. Cultural heritage crime also includes the illegal movement/export of protected cultural objects that even though they are legally acquired, may not be taken out of the country without a permit. The illegal import of these objects from other countries also constitutes cultural heritage crime. The looting of ancient monuments and protected shipwrecks is also included.

The report is based on 2,111 questionnaire responses from preservers and dealers in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, and 150 interviews with players and experts in these countries.