Antique book dealers targeted in swathe of major thefts across London
Experts fear criminal gangs may have been inspired by a daring heist three years ago in which £2.5m worth of rare artefacts were stolen
19 December 2020 • 6:00pm
Up to £100,00 worth of rare maps were stolen from Altea Gallery in Mayfair
Credit: Jason Alden
Antique book dealers have been targeted in a swathe of high-value thefts after being inspired by an abseiling gang who stole £2.5m of rare artefacts in a daring heist, experts have said.
In a “highly sophisticated” burglary three years ago, two members of an organised crime group from Romania had abseiled from the roof of a warehouse in West London, which housed the rare collection of antique books, before escaping with the multi-million pound haul.