Combating cultural heritage crime : a Maltese perspective

Abstract

This dissertation analysed cultural heritage crime in Malta, an island nation rich in heritage and geographically positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and at crossroads of history. It provides a criminological perspective to the fight against cultural heritage crime and delves into the reality experienced by Stakeholders entrusted with the protection of the cultural heritage against crime within the Maltese jurisdiction highlighting their operational stance, perspectives and concerns. Data from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the Police’s Cultural Heritage Crime Unit was utilised in order to analyse the occurrence of crime. Additionally, interviews with officials from the above mentioned entities together with an official from MEPA’s Heritage Planning Unit were resorted to with the aim to enhance the consistency of the research while ensuring detailed qualitative data gathering in lieu of the lack of local statistics and literature on the subject. This study confirms claims that cultural heritage crime manifests itself similarly across jurisdictions yet varies in prevalence due to distinct circumstances existing in particular states and Malta is no exception. Contrastingly, this dissertation proves that to date no evidence exists corroborating to claims that Malta is in any way connected to the transnational crime of illicit trafficking of cultural property. Furthermore, several other predominant themes emanating from the data gathered were explored, discussed and followed by recommendations. The will to step up the local fight against cultural heritage crime was as evident as the limitations imposed by the system.