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The British Museum's outgoing director Dr Hartwig Fischer acknowledged that "the situation facing the Museum is of the utmost seriousness"

By Katie Razzall, culture and media editor, Larissa Kennelly & Darin Graham

BBC News

The British Museum has said the staff member they believe stole or damaged around 2,000 objects is not co-operating with their search for them.

A review into the thefts has now produced a series of recommendations to protect the collection, including identifying all unregistered artefacts.

Peter Higgs, who was a senior curator at the museum, is accused of stealing artefacts including Roman gems.

Mr Higgs has not responded to the BBC's attempts to contact him.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing.

His family told reporters in August that he was innocent and "devastated" to have lost his job.

The recommendations also include reviewing the approach to suspending employees, to give due weight to protecting the collection.