Service has now resumed at the London museum after disruptions to several of its systems over the weekend
A former IT contractor to the British Museum was arrested on Thursday after allegedly gaining access to the museum’s security and IT systems before attempting to shut them down.
Part of the London attraction’s permanent collection was closed on Friday following the incident, and, temporary exhibitions remained shut over the weekend.
The museum said as of this morning (27 January 2025) service is back to normal and the Museum is fully open to visitors.
A museum spokesperson explained: “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.”
It said ticket holders have been alerted and refunds offered.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called on Thursday 23 January at 20.25 to reports that a man had entered the British Museum and caused damage to the museum’s security and IT systems.
“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.”
