Region: Europe

The ghosts of colonialism at the Pitt Rivers Museum

(United Kingdom)

Andrew Dickson (2022). The ghosts of colonialism at the Pitt Rivers Museum. Prospect Magazine. 6 October.

Two UK museums open up their collection to Cambodian archaeologists looking for looted treasure

(Cambodia; United Kingdom)

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar (2022). Two UK museums open up their collection to Cambodian archaeologists looking for looted treasure. Independent. 30 September.

Why a small British museum went out of its way to repatriate Haida Nation artifacts Social Sharing Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit LinkedIn

(Canada; United Kingdom)

Mouhamad Rachini (2022). Why a small British museum went out of its way to repatriate Haida Nation artifacts Social Sharing Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit LinkedIn. CBC. 30 September.

Sokoto Caliphate seeks return of artefacts from UK, France

(Nigeria; United Kingdom; France)

Musa Ubandawaki Sokoto (2022). Sokoto Caliphate seeks return of artefacts from UK, France. Vanguard. 29 September.

Homecoming: More than 250 artefacts returned to the Kingdom in five years

(Cambodia; United States of America; Japan; Hungary; Thailand; United Kingdom)

Khmer Times (2022). Homecoming: More than 250 artefacts returned to the Kingdom in five years. Khmer Times. 22 September.

Tara: The Sri Lankan Deity At The British Museum

(Sri Lanka; United Kingdom)

Nation (2021). Tara: The Sri Lankan Deity At The British Museum. Nation. 18 August.

Stolen 16th-century Qur'an to be returned to Turkey

(Turkey; United Kingdom)

Arab News (2021). Stolen 16th-century Qur'an to be returned to Turkey. Arab News. 16 August.

Stained-glass windows used for `target practice' in English church

(United Kingdom)

Charles Collins (2021). Stained-glass windows used for `target practice' in English church. Crux. 7 April.

Donations needed after `heritage crime attack' at village church

(United Kingdom)

Louth Leader (2021). Donations needed after `heritage crime attack' at village church. Louth Leader. 5 April.

36 antique idols, artefacts returned to India by US, Australia, UK in last 5 yrs, govt says

(India; United States of America; Australia; United Kingdom)

Soniya Agrawal (2021). 36 antique idols, artefacts returned to India by US, Australia, UK in last 5 yrs, govt says. The Print. 17 March.

The 49 historic buildings at risk across Leicestershire - including churches and windmills

(United Kingdom)

Tom Mack (2021). The 49 historic buildings at risk across Leicestershire - including churches and windmills. Liecester Mercury. 14 March.

Nisga'a woman spearheads new effort to repatriate family house pole from Europe

(Canada; United Kingdom)

Denise Ryan (2020). Nisga'a woman spearheads new effort to repatriate family house pole from Europe. Vancouver Sun. 12 December.

Tamil Nadu: Stolen antique idols reinstalled in temple

(India; United Kingdom)

Gokul Rajendran (2020). Tamil Nadu: Stolen antique idols reinstalled in temple. The Times of India. 28 November.

Church crime team becomes national model for police forces everywhere

(United Kingdom)

Tom Mack (2020). Church crime team becomes national model for police forces everywhere. Leicester Mercury. 27 November.

Passing sentences … what's the worst kind of book thief?

(United Kingdom)

Shaun Bythell (2020). Passing sentences … what's the worst kind of book thief?. The Guardian. 27 November.

Hundreds of metal thefts in West Yorkshire last year

(United Kingdom)

Will Killner (2020). Hundreds of metal thefts in West Yorkshire last year. Telegraph & Argus. 6 September.

St Luke's Church roof vandalised by metal thieves

(United Kingdom)

Darryl Chamberlain (2020). St Luke's Church roof vandalised by metal thieves. The Charlton Champion. 27 August.

Campaign raises £2,000 after gravestone stolen and churchyard desecrated in St Michael's on Wyre

(United Kingdom)

James Graves (2020). Campaign raises £2,000 after gravestone stolen and churchyard desecrated in St Michael's on Wyre. The Gazette. 25 August.

Trio admit stealing lead from Lincolnshire churches

(United Kingdom)

Louth Leader (2020). Trio admit stealing lead from Lincolnshire churches. Louth Leader. 21 August.

Stolen religious icon returned from UK

(Greece; United Kingdom)

eKathimerini (2020). Stolen religious icon returned from UK. eKathimerini. 4 August.

Stolen in 1998, rare Shiva statue on way from London to India

(India; United Kingdom)

Prasun Sonwalkar (2020). Stolen in 1998, rare Shiva statue on way from London to India. Hindustan Times. 30 July.

CRIME FILES: Prolific church raider ends up behind bars

(United Kingdom)

James Connell (2020). CRIME FILES: Prolific church raider ends up behind bars. Malvern Gazette. 10 May.

Crime epidemic: Our historical rural churches are facing a raft of threats

(United Kingdom)

James More (2020). Crime epidemic: Our historical rural churches are facing a raft of threats. Express. 16 March.

Thieves cause costly damage targeting lead from Somerset's rural churches

(United Kingdom)

Steven Salter (2020). Thieves cause costly damage targeting lead from Somerset's rural churches. County Gazette. 15 March.

India seeks return of 15th century Tamil statue in Oxford

(India; United Kingdom)

Prasun Sonwalkar (2020). India seeks return of 15th century Tamil statue in Oxford. Hindustan Times. 23 February.

India asks Oxford museum to return 'stolen' bronze statue

(India; United Kingdom)

David Batty (2020). India asks Oxford museum to return 'stolen' bronze statue. The Guardian. 21 February.

Thief smashes priceless Cambridge church windows by Victorian artist

(United Kingdom)

Alex Spencer (2020). Thief smashes priceless Cambridge church windows by Victorian artist. Cambridge Independent. 14 February.

Picture of stolen Thirumangai Alwar idol matches one in London Museum

(India; United Kingdom)

TNN (2020). Picture of stolen Thirumangai Alwar idol matches one in London Museum. The Times of India. 13 February.

'Shady and unscrupulous' metal detectorist hits Winchelsea

(United Kingdom)

Harry Bullmore (2020). 'Shady and unscrupulous' metal detectorist hits Winchelsea. The Argus. 13 February.

British aristocrat confronted by 'Indiana Jones of art world' over priceless stolen artefacts

(United Kingdom; Spain)

Helena Horton (2019). British aristocrat confronted by 'Indiana Jones of art world' over priceless stolen artefacts. The Telegraph. 22 January.

University offers £10,000 reward in bid to recover stolen silverware

(United Kingdom)

Bex Bastable (2018). University offers £10,000 reward in bid to recover stolen silverware. Brighton & hove Independent. 21 December.

Thief steals £100,000 worth of silverware from university chapel

(United Kingdom)

Harry Bullmore (2018). Thief steals £100,000 worth of silverware from university chapel. The Argus. 17 December.

Thieves take entire roof from Grade I listed church

(United Kingdom)

Press Association (2018). Thieves take entire roof from Grade I listed church. Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter. 5 October.

Thieves steal £40,000 worth of lead from North Lincolnshire church

(United Kingdom)

Simon Leonard (2018). Thieves steal £40,000 worth of lead from North Lincolnshire church. Grimsby Telegraph. 21 September.

The pelican thief ... police probe after golden bird statue stolen from church

(United Kingdom)

Kelly Williams (2018). The pelican thief ... police probe after golden bird statue stolen from church. Daily Post. 11 September.

Twenty-one ancient skulls stolen from Kent church

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2018). Twenty-one ancient skulls stolen from Kent church. BBC News. 18 July.

Westminster Abbey urged by African ambassador to hand over looted relic

(Ethiopia; United Kingdom)

Alex Williams (2018). Westminster Abbey urged by African ambassador to hand over looted relic. Premier. 4 July.

Ethiopia claims Ten Commandments tablet hidden in Westminster Abbey

(Ethiopia; United Kingdom)

Martin Bailey (2018). Ethiopia claims Ten Commandments tablet hidden in Westminster Abbey. The Art Newspaper. 2 July.

Centuries old artefacts stolen from Catton Hall chapel over bank holiday weekend

(United Kingdom)

Beth Pridding (2018). Centuries old artefacts stolen from Catton Hall chapel over bank holiday weekend. Burton Mail. 8 May.

Norwich church burglar escapes jail sentence after help

(United Kingdom)

Network Norfolk (2018). Norwich church burglar escapes jail sentence after help. Network Norfolk. 12 April.

Man who looted "irreplaceable" antiques from Norwich churches while homeless escapes jail

(United Kingdom)

Dominic Gilbert (2018). Man who looted "irreplaceable" antiques from Norwich churches while homeless escapes jail. Eastern Daily Press. 11 April.

Britain's Secret Theft of Ethiopia's Most Wondrous Manuscripts

(Ethiopia; United Kingdom)

James Jeffrey (2018). Britain's Secret Theft of Ethiopia's Most Wondrous Manuscripts. Atlas Obscura. 11 April.

Theft of silverware and records from Whitton church was 'attack on community'

(United Kingdom)

Andrew Hirst (2017). Theft of silverware and records from Whitton church was 'attack on community'. East Anglian Daily Times. 31 December.

York Minster to be protected with anti-terror security blocks

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2017). York Minster to be protected with anti-terror security blocks. BBC News. 6 November.

Turkey seeks return of 16th-century Quran from London

(Turkey; United Kingdom)

Anadolu Agency (2017). Turkey seeks return of 16th-century Quran from London. Daily Sabah. 24 October.

Border guards detain Briton who tried to smuggle collection of antiquities from Ukraine

(Ukraine; United Kingdom)

Interfax Ukraine (2017). Border guards detain Briton who tried to smuggle collection of antiquities from Ukraine. Interfax Ukraine. 12 October.

The damage being done to our churches

(United Kingdom)

KLFM (2017). The damage being done to our churches. KLFM. 6 October.

Briton arrested in Spanish hotel on suspicion of stealing ancient artifacts from Italy

(Spain; United Kingdom; Italy)

James Badcock, Nick Squires (2017). Briton arrested in Spanish hotel on suspicion of stealing ancient artifacts from Italy. The Telegraph. 29 August.

Pagans demand return of church buildings 'stolen' 1,300 years ago

(United Kingdom)

Olivia Rudgard (2017). Pagans demand return of church buildings 'stolen' 1,300 years ago. The Telegraph. 27 August.

Thieves steal ancient chest from church at Ringstead, near Hunstanton

(United Kingdom)

Chris Bishop (2017). Thieves steal ancient chest from church at Ringstead, near Hunstanton. Eastern Daily Press. 14 August.

Burglar admits damaging ancient wooden panel at Carlisle cathedral

(United Kingdom)

News and Star (2017). Burglar admits damaging ancient wooden panel at Carlisle cathedral. News and Star. 10 August.

More than £250,000 needed for alarms for Norfolk's churches

(United Kingdom)

KL (2017). More than £250,000 needed for alarms for Norfolk's churches. KL. 3 August.

Vandals daub anti-christian messages on Tamworth's St Editha's Church

(United Kingdom)

Tamworth Herald (2017). Vandals daub anti-christian messages on Tamworth's St Editha's Church. Tamworth Herald. 15 June.

Thieves raid safe and loot artefacts during church break-in

(United Kingdom)

Christopher Gage (2017). Thieves raid safe and loot artefacts during church break-in. The Brecon & Radnor Express. 24 May.

Medieval stones stolen from Edinburgh hospital

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2017). Medieval stones stolen from Edinburgh hospital. BBC News. 4 April.

Teenager caused £5,000 of damage to ancient church in Dalgety Bay

(United Kingdom)

Dunfermline Press (2017). Teenager caused £5,000 of damage to ancient church in Dalgety Bay. Dunfermline Press. 17 March.

Was ancient church at Santon Downham, near Thetford, targeted by nighthawks?

(United Kingdom)

Chris Bishop (2017). Was ancient church at Santon Downham, near Thetford, targeted by nighthawks?. Eastern Daily Press. 6 March.

Vandals target display of multifaith artworks at Gloucester Cathedral

(United Kingdom)

Vanessa Thorpe (2017). Vandals target display of multifaith artworks at Gloucester Cathedral. The Guardian. 12 February.

Church secured against thieves - at cost of £311,000

(United Kingdom)

Mark Foster (2017). Church secured against thieves - at cost of £311,000. Darlington & Stockton Times. 10 February.

Cathedral-goers get up-close look at snatched medieval crucifix

(United Kingdom)

Alex Williams (2017). Cathedral-goers get up-close look at snatched medieval crucifix. Premier. 6 February.

Antiques dealer jailed for stealing painting from Chester Cathedral

(United Kingdom)

Nazia Parveen (2017). Antiques dealer jailed for stealing painting from Chester Cathedral. The Guardian. 31 January.

Ancient Welby church banned from displaying 'tasteless' plaque thanking lottery windfall

(United Kingdom)

Tom Mack (2017). Ancient Welby church banned from displaying 'tasteless' plaque thanking lottery windfall. Leicester Mercury. 23 January.

Thieves steal lead from church roof

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2017). Thieves steal lead from church roof. BBC News. 19 January.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to ancient church

(United Kingdom)

Helen Machin (2017). Thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to ancient church. Tamworth Herald. 2 January.

London church to be reunited with stolen 16th-century carving

(United Kingdom; Belgium)

Dalya Alberge (2016). London church to be reunited with stolen 16th-century carving. The Guardian. 21 December.

Man guilty of stealing Chester Cathedral's Greek Lazarus painting

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2016). Man guilty of stealing Chester Cathedral's Greek Lazarus painting. BBC News. 5 December.

Man 'stole' Chester Cathedral's Greek Lazarus painting

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2016). Man 'stole' Chester Cathedral's Greek Lazarus painting. BBC News. 30 November.

Man accused of stealing Chester Cathedral icon stands trial

(United Kingdom)

Frances Barrett (2016). Man accused of stealing Chester Cathedral icon stands trial. The Chester Chronicle. 30 November.

Art detectives track down stolen 12th-century Indian sculpture

(India; United Kingdom)

Richard Morris (2016). Art detectives track down stolen 12th-century Indian sculpture. India GB News. 3 October.

The ghost of Vaman Ghiya is rising

(India; United Kingdom)

Vijay Kumar (2016). The ghost of Vaman Ghiya is rising. DNA. 24 September.

Buddha statue theft from temple treated as hate crime

(United Kingdom)

Jenny Thomson (2016). Buddha statue theft from temple treated as hate crime. STV. 20 September.

Yobs 'mindlessly' smash historic stained-glass window in 12th-century Rye church

(United Kingdom)

Adrian Imms (2016). Yobs 'mindlessly' smash historic stained-glass window in 12th-century Rye church. The Argus. 15 September.

Vandals daub bizarre message on cathedral's 900 year old walls

(United Kingdom)

The Plymouth Herald (2016). Vandals daub bizarre message on cathedral's 900 year old walls. Plymouth Herald. 13 September.

200-year-old priceless bibles returned to church after break-in

(United Kingdom)

Ben Philip (2016). 200-year-old priceless bibles returned to church after break-in. Daily Record. 3 September.

Burglars steal brass from altar of Shipley church

(United Kingdom)

Steve Wright (2016). Burglars steal brass from altar of Shipley church. Telegraph & Argus. 19 August.

Police appeal for information following silver theft from Gloucestershire church

(United Kingdom)

Alex Capon (2016). Police appeal for information following silver theft from Gloucestershire church. Antiques Trade Gazette. 19 August.

Brass ornaments stolen from Chelmondiston Church

(United Kingdom)

Ellis Barker (2016). Brass ornaments stolen from Chelmondiston Church. East Anglian Daily Times. 19 August.

Polynesian sculpture admired by Picasso and Henry Moore far older than previously thought

(French Polynesia; United Kingdom)

Martin Bailey (2016). Polynesian sculpture admired by Picasso and Henry Moore far older than previously thought. The Art Newspaper. 15 August.

St Peter Mancroft memorial desecrated after "disgraceful" theft

(United Kingdom)

David Hannant (2016). St Peter Mancroft memorial desecrated after "disgraceful" theft. Eastern Daily Press. 13 August.

Charity saddened by theft of irreplaceable Tudor stained glass from Leicestershire chapel

(United Kingdom)

Dan J. Martin (2016). Charity saddened by theft of irreplaceable Tudor stained glass from Leicestershire chapel. Leicester Mercury. 8 August.

Ancient plaque welcoming visitors to Ayr's historic Auld Kirk vanishes

(United Kingdom)

Stephen Houston (2016). Ancient plaque welcoming visitors to Ayr's historic Auld Kirk vanishes. Daily Record. 7 August.

Priceless stained glass window stolen from historic village church

(United Kingdom)

Harborough Mail (2016). Priceless stained glass window stolen from historic village church. Harborough Mail. 3 August.

'Heartless' burglars smash up church with sledgehammers

(United Kingdom)

Kelsey Maxwell (2016). 'Heartless' burglars smash up church with sledgehammers. Leigh Journal. 29 June.

Welcome home party for Devon church's priceless panels

(United Kingdom)

W.M.N.H. Finch (2016). Welcome home party for Devon church's priceless panels. The Herald. 29 June.

Stolen medieval panels restored and reinstalled in Devon church

(United Kingdom)

Steven Morris (2016). Stolen medieval panels restored and reinstalled in Devon church. The Guardian. 24 June.

Police appeal for witnesses after thieves steal lead from Hillhouse Parish Church roof

(United Kingdom)

Kirsten Mcstay (2016). Police appeal for witnesses after thieves steal lead from Hillhouse Parish Church roof. Daily Record. 24 June.

Thieves cause £20,000 of damage to one of Stockton's most historic buildings

(United Kingdom)

Chris Webber (2016). Thieves cause £20,000 of damage to one of Stockton's most historic buildings. The Northern Echo. 23 June.

Thieves strip lead off East Meon church roof

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2016). Thieves strip lead off East Meon church roof. BBC News. 17 June.

Vandals damage up to 40 gravestones in Inverness cemetery

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2016). Vandals damage up to 40 gravestones in Inverness cemetery. BBC News. 15 June.

Valuable 16th century silver stolen in church raid

(United Kingdom)

ITV News (2016). Valuable 16th century silver stolen in church raid. ITV News. 14 June.

Copper worth thousands stolen from roof of St Mary's Church in Clothall, Baldock

(United Kingdom)

Hertfordshire Mercury (2016). Copper worth thousands stolen from roof of St Mary's Church in Clothall, Baldock. Hertfordshire Mercury. 14 June.

British doubts over Joan of Arc's ring

(United Kingdom; France)

Martin Bailey (2016). British doubts over Joan of Arc's ring. The Art Newspaper. 9 June.

Revealed: how altarpiece broke in disastrous fall at London's National Gallery

(United Kingdom)

Emily Sharpe (2016). Revealed: how altarpiece broke in disastrous fall at London's National Gallery. The Art Newspaper. 9 June.

Two arrested after two-month crime spree at east Norfolk churches

(United Kingdom)

Geraldine Scott (2016). Two arrested after two-month crime spree at east Norfolk churches. Evening News 24. 1 June.

Student who scrawled 'don't bomb Syria' in giant black letters on historic World Heritage-listed church opposite Parliament is spared jail

(United Kingdom)

Mark Duell (2016). Student who scrawled 'don't bomb Syria' in giant black letters on historic World Heritage-listed church opposite Parliament is spared jail. The Daily Mail. 1 June.

Vandals damage headstones at Leslie Cemetery, Glenrothes

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2016). Vandals damage headstones at Leslie Cemetery, Glenrothes. BBC News. 30 May.

Shock after thieves behead angel statue in Cambridge graveyard

(United Kingdom)

Chris Elliott (2016). Shock after thieves behead angel statue in Cambridge graveyard. Cambridge News. 30 May.

Teenager, 15, charged over vandalism at historic Fife church

(United Kingdom)

Craig Smith (2016). Teenager, 15, charged over vandalism at historic Fife church. The Courier. 24 May.

Stolen Chalice Remains Missing

(United Kingdom)

Rebecca Cain (2016). Stolen Chalice Remains Missing. Hereford Times. 19 May.

Police launch appeal after church silver worth more than £3,000 stolen from Cambridgeshire village

(United Kingdom)

Florence Sneed (2016). Police launch appeal after church silver worth more than £3,000 stolen from Cambridgeshire village. Cambridge News. 16 May.

Antique dealer who plundered churches for profit jailed

(United Kingdom)

Steven Morris (2016). Antique dealer who plundered churches for profit jailed. The Guardian. 10 May.

Church raider jailed after stealing priceless relics, including ancient coffin

(United Kingdom)

Jeanette Oldham (2016). Church raider jailed after stealing priceless relics, including ancient coffin. Birmingham Mail. 6 May.

Forget the Kohinoor, could we have the Amaravati Stupa sculptures back please?

(India; United Kingdom)

Ruchika Sharma (2016). Forget the Kohinoor, could we have the Amaravati Stupa sculptures back please?. Scroll.in. 1 May.

Nationally important 12th century monument spray-painted by vandals

(United Kingdom)

Brian Donnelly (2016). Nationally important 12th century monument spray-painted by vandals. The Herald. 2 April.

Stop the Roof Raiders: Lead thieves strike Boxted church as total hit by suspected gang reaches 16 in Suffolk

(United Kingdom)

Matt Reason (2016). Stop the Roof Raiders: Lead thieves strike Boxted church as total hit by suspected gang reaches 16 in Suffolk. East Anglian Daily Times. 25 March.

Yobs set fire to historic Prestwick church and burn ivy from ancient walls

(United Kingdom)

Stuart Wilson (2016). Yobs set fire to historic Prestwick church and burn ivy from ancient walls. Daily Record. 25 March.

Trio of rare Viking artefacts reported stolen from church at Sockburn, near Darlington

(United Kingdom)

Charlotte Bowe (2016). Trio of rare Viking artefacts reported stolen from church at Sockburn, near Darlington. The Northern Echo. 23 March.

Cathedral reopens home of historic order after thefts

(United Kingdom)

Diane King (2016). Cathedral reopens home of historic order after thefts. Edinburgh Evening News. 12 March.

Bible valued £2,000 stolen as church thefts go on the rise in Powys

(United Kingdom)

Robert Doman (2016). Bible valued £2,000 stolen as church thefts go on the rise in Powys. News North Wales. 29 February.

Church congregation in shock after thieves steal priceless medieval stained glass window

(United Kingdom)

ITV News (2016). Church congregation in shock after thieves steal priceless medieval stained glass window. ITV News. 24 February.

Cambridge church community devastated by theft of 'priceless' stained glass window

(United Kingdom)

Freya Leng (2016). Cambridge church community devastated by theft of 'priceless' stained glass window. Cambridge News. 23 February.

'Stealing my painting from St Mary's Church in Beverley was like a plot from The Archers'

(United Kingdom)

Hull Daily Mail (2016). 'Stealing my painting from St Mary's Church in Beverley was like a plot from The Archers'. Hull Daily Mail. 17 January.

Thief stole painting from St Mary's Church in Beverley during wedding

(United Kingdom)

Lucy Leeson (2016). Thief stole painting from St Mary's Church in Beverley during wedding. Hull Daily Mail. 1 January.

Top policeman calls for CCTV at Glasgow Necropolis

(United Kingdom)

Graham Fraser (2015). Top policeman calls for CCTV at Glasgow Necropolis. BBC News. 26 December.

Another church hit by lead thefts – St Mary's in Cratfield the latest to be targeted

(United Kingdom)

Edmund Crosthwaite (2015). Another church hit by lead thefts – St Mary's in Cratfield the latest to be targeted. East Anglian Daily Times. 8 December.

Indigenous objects return to Australia in new exhibition

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Amelia Caddy (2015). Indigenous objects return to Australia in new exhibition. Australian Geographic. 7 December.

AP Vows to Bring Back Amaravati Artefacts from Brit Museum

(India; United Kingdom)

Express News Service (2015). AP Vows to Bring Back Amaravati Artefacts from Brit Museum. The New Indian Express. 6 December.

Inuit shaman parka 'copied' by KTZ design well-studied by anthropologists

(Canada; United Kingdom)

Sima Sahar Zerehi (2015). Inuit shaman parka 'copied' by KTZ design well-studied by anthropologists. CBC. 2 December.

Ancient Gravestone Used As Battering Ram In Lightning Jewelry Store Heist

(United Kingdom)

Lee Moran (2015). Ancient Gravestone Used As Battering Ram In Lightning Jewelry Store Heist. Huffington Post. 27 November.

Encounters exhibition: a stunning but troubling collection of colonial plunder

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Paul Daley (2015). Encounters exhibition: a stunning but troubling collection of colonial plunder. The Guardian. 26 November.

Vandalised St Helen's Church rises from the ashes to be rebuilt at Beamish Museum

(United Kingdom)

Hannah Chapman (2015). Vandalised St Helen's Church rises from the ashes to be rebuilt at Beamish Museum. The Northern Echo. 12 November.

Suffolk churches count 'devastating' cost of lead roof thefts

(United Kingdom)

Harriet Sherwood (2015). Suffolk churches count 'devastating' cost of lead roof thefts. The Guardian. 10 October.

Sophisticated gangs using drones to target church roofs for their lead

(United Kingdom)

David Connett (2015). Sophisticated gangs using drones to target church roofs for their lead. The Independent. 9 October.

Mystery of monks missing gravestone is finally solved

(United Kingdom)

Andy Done-Johnson (2015). Mystery of monks missing gravestone is finally solved. Chad. 9 October.

Sikh temple ransacked with cash and gold artefacts stolen

(United Kingdom)

Dave Comeau (2015). Sikh temple ransacked with cash and gold artefacts stolen. Crawley News. 8 October.

How did a former Italian art thief end up dead in a London canal?

(United Kingdom)

Andrew Anthony (2015). How did a former Italian art thief end up dead in a London canal?. The Guardian. 4 October.

Church roof lead thieves labelled 'callous' after fifth Suffolk incident since end of August

(United Kingdom)

Ellis Barker (2015). Church roof lead thieves labelled 'callous' after fifth Suffolk incident since end of August. Ipswich Star. 17 September.

Lead Stolen from Church Roof

(United Kingdom)

Suffolk Constabulary (2015). Lead Stolen from Church Roof. Suffolk Constabulary. 15 September.

Painting stolen from church

(United Kingdom)

The Beverly Guardian (2015). Painting stolen from church. The Beverly Guardian. 7 September.

Visitors to Orkney's Italian Chapel to be charged entrance fees

(United Kingdom)

Victoria Weldon (2015). Visitors to Orkney's Italian Chapel to be charged entrance fees. The Herald. 31 August.

Donations made after drug addicts smash ancient Bodmin church window

(United Kingdom)

CG Oscar (2015). Donations made after drug addicts smash ancient Bodmin church window. Cornish Guardian. 27 August.

Thieves smash ancient Bodmin church window to steal collection box

(United Kingdom)

CG Oscar (2015). Thieves smash ancient Bodmin church window to steal collection box. Cornish Guardian. 19 August.

Family to be compensated for Burrell Collection Nazi loot

(United Kingdom)

Nicola Sullivan (2015). Family to be compensated for Burrell Collection Nazi loot. Museums Journal. 18 August.

2600 Zim artefacts looted

(Zimbabwe; United Kingdom)

Lovemore Mataire (2015). 2600 Zim artefacts looted. The Herald. 14 August.

Outrage at desecration of St Columba's grave on Iona

(United Kingdom)

David Scott (2015). Outrage at desecration of St Columba's grave on Iona. Express. 7 August.

The antiquities thief who became one of Britain's richest men

(Israel; United Kingdom)

Ofer Aderet (2015). The antiquities thief who became one of Britain's richest men. Haaretz. 2 August.

Crucifixes and plaque of Christ discovered in Fulham estate

(United Kingdom)

Goolistan Cooper (2015). Crucifixes and plaque of Christ discovered in Fulham estate. Get West London. 31 July.

Heartwarming honesty of car boot punter sees stolen medieval brass returned to Lincolnshire church

(United Kingdom)

East Lindsey Target (2015). Heartwarming honesty of car boot punter sees stolen medieval brass returned to Lincolnshire church. East Lindsey Target. 22 July.

Enduring controversy: BP sponsorship ignites new row over British Museum's Indigenous exhibition

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Paul Daley (2015). Enduring controversy: BP sponsorship ignites new row over British Museum's Indigenous exhibition. The Guardian. 21 July.

Cheshire places of worship have almost 300 items stolen from them in three years

(United Kingdom)

Frances Barrett (2015). Cheshire places of worship have almost 300 items stolen from them in three years. The Chester Chronicle. 16 July.

Theft threatens the future of Britain's historic churches

(United Kingdom)

Matthew Cooper (2015). Theft threatens the future of Britain's historic churches. Apollo. 9 July.

Security alert after historic stone artefact stolen from church

(United Kingdom)

Stuart Minting (2015). Security alert after historic stone artefact stolen from church. Darlington & Stockton Times. 29 June.

Holy Grail found (thanks to Crimewatch appeal)

(United Kingdom)

John Bingham (2015). Holy Grail found (thanks to Crimewatch appeal). The Telegraph. 26 June.

Church's stolen statue head found on ebay after two years and returned to Forest of Dean

(United Kingdom)

Gloucester Citizen (2015). Church's stolen statue head found on ebay after two years and returned to Forest of Dean. Gloucester Citizen. 9 June.

Swepstone church roof stripped of £50k of lead

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2015). Swepstone church roof stripped of £50k of lead. BBC News. 1 June.

Detectives unearth scores of church thefts dating back 10 years

(United Kingdom)

Steven Morris (2015). Detectives unearth scores of church thefts dating back 10 years. The Guardian. 20 May.

Stolen 15th-century Torbryan church icons recovered by police

(United Kingdom)

Steven Morris, Maev Kennedy (2015). Stolen 15th-century Torbryan church icons recovered by police. The Guardian. 19 May.

Missing 13th-Century Painting to be Returned to Owners in Court Settlement

(United States of America; Switzerland; United Kingdom)

Tom Mashberg (2015). Missing 13th-Century Painting to be Returned to Owners in Court Settlement. The New York Times. 12 May.

Stolen art returned to Herefordshire churches

(United Kingdom)

Bill Tanner (2015). Stolen art returned to Herefordshire churches. Hereford Times. 7 May.

Devenish Island: Vandals damage ancient gravestone

(United Kingdom)

BBC News (2014). Devenish Island: Vandals damage ancient gravestone. BBC News. 27 November.

Police Raid Pub In 'Holy Grail' Relic Hunt

(United Kingdom)

Sky News (2014). Police Raid Pub In 'Holy Grail' Relic Hunt. Sky News. 7 August.

Angels and paintings vandalised at Tintagel Parish Church

(United Kingdom)

Cornish Guardian (2014). Angels and paintings vandalised at Tintagel Parish Church. Cornish Guardian. 4 June.

Unique 600-year-old brass plaque stolen from Herefordshire church

(United Kingdom)

Hereford Times (2014). Unique 600-year-old brass plaque stolen from Herefordshire church. Hereford Times. 2 April.