Stolen Goods Database

The central database of stolen and missing cultural goods was established in late 2004. The database registers about 150 thefts involving about 600-700 stolen cultural objects per year. The database can be publicly and freely accessed through the internet. After the registration of each stolen item, an electronic newsletter is sent out to the main players of the art market (auction houses, galleries, art dealers, collectors and the professional media). The publicly accessible database and the electronic newsletter connected to it have been proved useful tools in practice, resulting in the return of several stolen cultural goods.