It's thought 'Heritage crime' is a massively underreported issue across Rutland

There are concerns about these types of crimes

Author: Julie CastonPublished 27th Dec 2024

It's thought crimes across Rutland where the likes of historic buildings and monuments are targeted are 'massively under reported'.

So called 'Heritage Crime' which includes 'night hawking' - where artefacts are stolen from special sites - is thought to be higher than official figures suggest.

Jenny Kent is an archaeologist who helps Leicestershire Police work to prevent such incidents where sites of importance are being uncovered.

She tells us why it's so important for these historical sites to be protected:

"You can't build that picture of where they had everything if half the ground is empty. You can't get that back. It's irreplaceable, priceless.

"Heritage Crime is a crime against any heritage asset be it a castle, a battlefield, a scheduled monument, or anything protected by law.

"I think prevention is everything - once it's gone it's gone."

PC Lauren de Wett is from Leicestershire Police - says things like 'night hawking' - where artefacts are stolen from historical sites - is thought to be higher than official figures suggest.

"I think it's massively underreported.

"I don't think there are many landowners that necessarily understand that it's illegal to do it.

"They might realise there is a trespass element, that they don't want them on the land.

"But to be honest unless they are upset about them being on the land they often don't report it.

"There's some ignorance from the public that they don't realise that that going out with their metal detector on a piece of land, on a monument etc - they might not know where that is.

"They may not know there are any restrictions around it, so it's just about that education and making people aware."

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