Heritage properties urged to take precautions as Blenheim Palace toilet theft trial continues

Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical is reminding historical properties to take security precautions to protect valuable artworks as the trial of individuals accused of stealing a £2.8m gold toilet takes place.

The theft of the 18-carat gold fully functional toilet, titled ‘America’ and made by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in September 2019.

A gang of five sledgehammer-wielding thieves drove two vehicles through gates of the 18th Century stately home before smashing their way into the building with sledgehammers.

At Oxford Crown Court this week, prosecutor Julian Christopher KC stated: "The burglary was carefully planned and swiftly carried out" before adding, “They knew precisely where to go, broke down the wooden door to the cubicle where the toilet was fully plumbed in, removed it, leaving water pouring out of the pipes, and drove away.

"All in all they spent just five minutes in the building. Clearly such an audacious raid would not have been possible without lots of preparation.”

Ahead of the conclusion of the trial, Ecclesiastical is urging heritage properties to take precautions to help prevent opportunistic thieves from striking.

Smash and grab attacks are usually carried out at speed as thieves aim to get in and out of a property as quickly as possible. They often involve the use of extreme force to break in, causing serious damage in the process.

These burglaries are often carefully planned and target easy to move, high value items that may be stolen to order or broken down and sold to unscrupulous buyers.

Laura Carter, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “As the UK’s leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage and securing it for future generations.

The theft from Blenheim Palace was appalling and led not only to the loss of a high value piece of art but also caused considerable damage to the premises in the process.

“In recent years we’ve seen thefts from heritage properties increase – especially since the pandemic and the trend of smash and grab style attacks is likely to continue, particularly with the economic downturn we’re experiencing. Our guidance has been developed by our risk management experts and we hope it will encourage heritage property owners and managers to review the measures in place to help protect their properties from future attacks.”

How to protect your heritage property from smash and grab attacks

• Try to locate portable valuable items away from the building perimeter, as far from external doors and windows as possible. The further into a property thieves have to go, the longer it will take them and the greater the risk of detection.
• Where valuables are out on display to members of the public, house them in security designed attack resistant display cabinets. Laminated/security glazing should be used and cabinet frames, locks and hinges should be designed to resist physical attacks.
• If virtual tours of a property are included on websites avoid including the location of electronic security measures, such as intruder alarm and CCTV systems, which could be used to inform a planned attack.
• Review perimeter security arrangements. Restrict vehicular access to the site and locate any designated parking as far from the main property as possible. The further thieves have to travel on foot the greater the risk of detection and the less they can carry away with them.
• Watch out for visitors acting suspiciously. Behaviour such as walking speedily through some rooms but lingering in front of particular exhibits; studying nearby windows and doors; looking for electronic security measures such as closed-circuit television and intruder alarm detectors may be indicative of attack planning
• Electronic security measures should be reviewed alongside physical security arrangements. Consider the installation of an intruder alarm system to aid early detection of unauthorised access if not already fitted. Where fitted review existing coverage to ensure the system adequately covers potential access points into the property and target areas where there is a concentration of valuables.

The full list of smash and grab risk guidance is available to view on Ecclesiastical’s website.