British Museum told to keep better records after theft of 1,500 items

Visitors in the British Museum. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

The British Museum must keep a comprehensive register of all items in its collections after the theft of up to 1,500 objects over recent years, an independent review has said.

The review was initiated by the trustees of the museum, which holds about 8m historical artefacts on behalf of the nation, after it revealed earlier this year that items had been stolen or damaged or were missing.