Law, crime and regulation

The theft of a 19th century postbox in Asthall Leigh in west Oxfordshire earlier this year has led local councillors to fear criminals are targeting specific postboxes to sell on for hundreds of pounds.

Five antiquities dealers were arrested by Israeli police in Jerusalem last week in connection with items that were illegally imported into the US by the arts-and-crafts retailer Hobby Lobby.

An antiques and art dealer is asking the trade to be aware of a scam after a painting was fraudulently purchased from the gallery in Wiltshire.

A first edition of AA Milne’s 'Now we are Six' that disappeared nearly a year ago has been returned to its dealers.

A masonic ceremonial sword which disappeared in a car theft has been recovered after emerging at a London auction house.

St James’s textile specialist S Franses has won an appeal in court for the right to stay in its gallery in central London.

Three Francis Bacon artworks stolen in Madrid in 2015 have been recovered by Spanish police near Barcelona.

Michael Gove MP gave his first speech as environment minister today and has vowed to tackle the illegal ivory trade. However, he made no reference to a total ban on ivory.

The UK government plans to renew the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009 to extend beyond its 2019 end to ensure the law remains indefinitely.

The British Hallmarking Council has launched a public consultation into the issue of UK assay offices using traditional hallmarks in overseas operations.

An important glazed Islamic calligraphic tile stolen in Uzbekistan is to be returned to the country after it was discovered for sale in a London gallery.

New rules coming into force in January 2018 mean that dealers and auctioneers can no longer add extra charges to cover credit or debit card fees when processing transactions.

The new arts minister John Glen MP has vowed he will do all he can to support the art market’s interests in government.

Small businesses are celebrating after plans to enforce online quarterly reporting were delayed by government.