'Staff cuts' blamed for Nelson thefts at Norwich museum

Norwich Castle was struck twice by burglars in five days in February, but one theft was thwarted

A lack of front-line staff is to blame for failing to deter thieves at Norwich Castle and spot missing Admiral Lord Nelson items, it has been claimed.

George Nobbs, vice chair of the museums board at Norfolk County Council, said interpreters that were recently axed at the museum could have prevented it.

Artefacts worth £36,800 were reported stolen from the museum in February.

The director behind the museums service said staff restructuring was done "with security in mind".

Police reported on Monday that five Nelson items including a gold mourning ring, worth £25,000, and a medal marking the admiral's death, had been reported missing by a paying visitor, who found an insecure display cabinet.

Five days previously, staff stopped thieves trying to steal a rhino's head during the middle of the day.

Norfolk Police said it did not believe there was a link between the two incidents.

Following the thefts, Vanessa Trevelyan, head of Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, said a full review of security was being undertaken at the museum.

'Losing staff'

In 2011 the service, which looks after 13 museums in the county, reduced the equivalent of about 11 full-time interpreter posts at Norwich Castle Museum by four.

The interpreters, not employed for security, were responsible for explaining the exhibits to visitors.

The museums service is currently under pressure to save £650,000 over four years.

A £50m Titian painting was recently loaned to Norwich Castle

Mr Nobbs, who is also leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council, said: "If we can't keep Nelson relics safe, what can we keep safe?

"In my view, losing staff like that is what makes this sort of theft possible.

"Also the theft was discovered not by the staff but by an off-duty policeman who just happened to be in the museum at that time.

"Had he not discovered it, I wonder whether we would have ever have found out about it."

'Staff restructuring'

Mr Nobbs also expressed concern the castle would not be able to obtain another work, equivalent to the current Titian £50m Diana and Actaeon painting, because of its security record.

A specialist adviser from the Arts Council is currently reviewing security at the museum.

Speaking to a scrutiny committee earlier, Harold Bodmer, director of community services which manages the museums service, said: "It has been suggested that a recent staff restructuring at the castle has reduced security.

"The restructure has been carried out with security in mind and we believe that the new arrangement does not compromise security.

"Clearly, if the investigations reveal this not to be the case, then we will, of course, follow any recommendations made."

Mr Bodmer added the National Gallery would not have been prepared to let the Titian painting come to the castle if it was not fully satisfied with its security.