British Museum's full list of open galleries and the ones forced to shut today

British Museum artefacts thefts
-Credit:PA Archive/PA Images


The British Museum has had to close some galleries because of an alleged IT attack by a former employee. A man in his 50s was reportedly arrested on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage after entering the building and accessing the systems on Thursday, January 23 at 8.25pm.

The three temporary exhibitions have been shut since Friday and will remain closed over the weekend. These are Silk Roads, Picasso: Printmaker, and Hew Locke: What have we here?

Members and ticket holders are being given priority and can reschedule or refund their tickets by contacting the museum's box office at tickets@britishmuseum.org. Because of the closures, capacity is now limited in the museum, although it seems the permanent collection is still open to the public. MyLondon has contacted the museum for more information.

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The gates of the British Museum
The British Museum said a former member of staff had been arrested -Credit:PA Archive/PA Images

A spokesperson from the British Museum said: "An IT contractor who was dismissed last week trespassed into the museum and shut down several of our systems. Police attended and he was arrested at the scene.

"We are working hard to get the museum back to being fully operational but with regret our temporary exhibitions have been closed today and will remain so over the weekend – ticket holders have been alerted and refunds offered."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called on Thursday, 23 January at 20:25hrs to reports that a man had entered the British Museum and caused damage to the museum’s security and IT systems.

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"Police swiftly attended and arrested a man in his 50s at the scene on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage. He has been bailed pending further enquiries."

Their website reads: "The Museum is open, but due to an IT infrastructure issue some galleries have had to be closed. Please note that this means capacity will be limited, and priority will be given to Members and pre-booked ticketholders. Currently our exhibitions remain closed.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. In order to reschedule exhibition ticket(s) or have tickets refunded (exclusions apply), please contact our Box Office at tickets@britishmuseum.org"

MyLondon has contacted the Met Police for more information.

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