British Museum sacks staff member after items vanish from collection

The British Museum has now launched an independent review into its security procedures. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

The British Museum has sacked a member of staff and imposed “emergency measures” to increase security after it found items from its collection to be missing.

It launched an independent review of security after items including gold jewellery and gems of semiprecious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD were found to be missing, stolen or damaged.