LONDO, Sept 11: Nineteen people have been arrested around the UK in connection with thefts of artefacts worth millions of pounds from museums and auction houses in an operation involving 26 police forces.

The 17 men and two women were held in dawn raids involving hundreds of police around England and Northern Ireland. The operation, which follows a pan-European investigation, also involved officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

The swoops were connected to six thefts over a four-month period last year, three at Durham Museum and the others at a Norwich museum, the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge and at Gorringes Auction House in Lewes, East Sussex.

Items stolen included Chinese antiquities worth more than GBP15m and a rhinoceros horn. Five men aged between 20 and 54 and two women, 28 and 54, were arrested in London, four men aged 24 to 56 were held in Cambridgeshire, and two, aged 28 and 46, in Essex. A 60-year-old man was arrested in Sussex, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the West Midlands and a 67-year-old man was arrested in Nottingham. Three men have been arrested in Northern Ireland.

Cambridgeshire police, leading the operation, said all of those arrested were being held on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle except the 54-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

Chief Constable Mick Creedon, the lead officer for serious organised crime at the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “The series of burglaries last year had a profound effect on museums and similar institutions and we are committed to bringing all those who were involved in the conspiracy to justice.

“Many of the stolen Chinese artefacts are still outstanding and a substantial reward remains on offer for information which leads to the safe return of those priceless items.”

So far, eight people have been convicted and jailed for more than 40 years for their roles in the crimes. They include a 15-year-old boy and three men convicted of conspiracy to burgle at the Fitzwilliam. Eighteen Chinese jade pieces worth an estimated GBP15m were stolen.

Heritage crime has become such a problem that police, English Heritage and arts and museum groups have joined to share intelligence.

By arrangement with the Guardian