§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to enable police forces to improve the detection of art theft; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe investigation of art theft is entirely a matter for individual chief officers of police. Some police forces have already taken steps to improve the effectiveness of their operations against art theft. The establishment of the artefact classification and indentification system by the Metropolitan police is one example to which I brought the hon. Member's attention on 7 July.
I cannot stress too greatly the important role members of the public play in preventing this type of crime by marking and keeping details and photographs of their valuable possessions.