prices for copper and other metals are increasing, so more and more becoming a theft of street sculptures for its smelting and sales.

At the end of January in Philadelphia from the sculptures of Henry Moore «The tripartite sculpture number 1: Points», established in the Triangle Park, was stolen metal plate with the name. The monument itself, fortunately, was not injured. But not all of the sculpture so lucky.

The city Uorrengton Oregon was stolen 15-meter high bronze statue of an Indian Sakadzhavei, participants first transamerikanskoy expedition, and her husband. Soon, the police received a report from a person involved in the sale of scrap, which had an unusual scrap. Three crooks were arrested, one was sentenced to 50 days in prison. It turned out that the pieces of sculpture have been sold to other resellers for just 517 dollars (estimated by experts working in 20 thousand dollars).

Another example: in Chicago was stolen dvuhmetrovaya sculpture, standing at the entrance to the library. Critics of its estimated 60 thousand dollars, and resellers of scrap evaluated 300 ...

One of the possible causes of such theft is considered to be drug abuse, in which people are ready for everything to get money. The market is extremely favorable to thieves, as global demand for metals is very high because of the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. China requires building materials, the market price of the metal is growing and people see a new way to «make».

Many of these crimes recorded in England, New Zealand and Japan. Experts have shown concern that because of the theft for the purpose of melting the artists will be less work with bronze and other metals. Now outdoor sculpture - »plum» for thieves who can earn a nice facility. Of course, this money is not comparable to the amounts that can be obtained in the sale of works of art, but to steal a monument, standing alone on the street, it is much easier than the climb to the museum or gallery.

Output, experts see the improvement of signaling systems, the installation of surveillance cameras and increasing the vigilance of citizens interested in preserving the appearance of cities and their cultural heritage.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer , www.gophila.com