Violent Museum Heists Surge in Europe Amid Gold Price Boom

European art and museum thefts have become increasingly violent, with thieves now using sledgehammers, axes, crowbars, and even explosives to breach premises and intimidate staff.

The shift in tactics was highlighted by Europol, which noted that traditional gangs are being replaced by ad-hoc opportunists recruited through social media on a 'crime-as-a-service' basis.

The rise in violent museum heists is linked to the surge in gold prices over the past two years, with thieves targeting precious metals and jewels due to their ease of liquidation.

Notable cases include the October 2025 Louvre Museum heist, where thieves stole €88 million worth of jewels, including Empress Eugenie's tiara, using violent tactics.