What is Heritage Crime?

Heritage crime is any offence which harms the value of heritage assets and their settings for current and future generations. This includes damage or loss caused by criminal acts or anti-social behaviour. Heritage assets are sites and items considered to have historical, archaeological, architectural, or artistic significance.

 

These assets can include:

• Listed buildings

• Scheduled monuments

• World Heritage Sites

• Protected marine wreck sites

• Conservation areas

• Registered parks and gardens

• Registered battlefields

• Protected military1 remains

• Undesignated but acknowledged heritage buildings and sites

• Cultural property (e.g., paintings, sculptures, archaeological finds)

 

Examples of Heritage Crime

Heritage crime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities, such as:

• Theft: Stealing architectural elements (metal, stone), artefacts, or items from historic buildings or archaeological sites. Churches are particularly vulnerable to metal theft (lead and copper).

• Criminal Damage: Vandalism, graffiti, arson, and intentional damage to historic fabric.

• Unlawful Metal Detecting ('Night-hawking'): Searching for and removing artefacts from protected archaeological sites without permission, causing damage and loss of historical data.

• Unauthorised Works: Alterations, extensions, or demolition of listed buildings or scheduled monuments without the necessary consents.

• Unlawful Disturbance and Salvage: Illegal interference with or removal of items from protected maritime sites.

• Anti-social Behaviour: Fly-tipping, off-road driving causing damage, and other disruptive activities.

• Illicit Trade in Cultural Objects: Buying, selling, or possessing stolen or illegally obtained cultural property.

 

How Heritage Crime Affects People and the Environment

The impact of heritage crime is significant and far-reaching:

• Loss of History and Culture: Damage or theft can lead to the irreversible loss of historically significant elements and knowledge about the past.

• Damage to Communities: Heritage assets often form a vital part of local identity and pride. Crime against them can damage community spirit and the sense of place.

• Economic Impact: Heritage crime can harm tourism, local businesses, and the value of properties in the vicinity.

• Financial Burden: Repairing damage and increasing security measures place a financial strain on property owners, local authorities, and heritage organisations.

• Emotional Distress: Owners and communities can experience significant distress and anger when heritage assets are targeted.

• Environmental Damage: Some heritage sites are also important for biodiversity, and damage can impact local ecosystems.

 

How to Minimise Heritage Crime

Preventing heritage crime requires a collaborative effort:

• Increased Security: Installing alarms, CCTV, and secure fencing at vulnerable sites.

• Community Vigilance: Encouraging the public to be watchful and report suspicious activity through schemes like Heritage Watch.

• Regular Monitoring and Maintenance: Ensuring sites are well-maintained to deter neglect and vandalism.

• Inventory and Documentation: Maintaining detailed records and photographs of heritage assets to aid in recovery if stolen.

• Public Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of heritage and the impact of crime.

• Partnership Working: Collaboration between police, local authorities, heritage organisations (like Historic England, Cadw, Historic Environment Scotland), and community groups.

• Responsible Metal Detecting: Promoting responsible practices and awareness of legal restrictions.

 

How to Report Heritage Crime

If you witness or suspect heritage crime:

• In an Emergency, Call 999: If a crime is in progress, someone is in danger, or violence is being used.

• For Non-Emergencies, Call 101 or Report Online: Contact your local police force to report incidents that have already occurred or suspicious activity. Most police forces have a liaison officer for heritage crime.

• Contact Your Local Authority's Conservation Department: Inform them of any damage to designated heritage assets like listed buildings or scheduled monuments.

• Contact Historic England, Cadw, or Historic Environment Scotland: Especially for damage to nationally significant sites like scheduled monuments or listed buildings.

• Report Anonymously to Crimestoppers: Call 0800 555 111 or report online.

• Use the Country Eye App: Some areas have apps like Country Eye for reporting rural and heritage crime.

• Report to Heritage Watch Schemes: If your area has one, report suspicious activity and damage through their established channels.

 

When reporting, provide as much detail as possible, including:

• The exact location of the incident.

• A description of what you saw (damage, theft, suspicious activity).

• Dates and times.

• Descriptions of any individuals or vehicles involved.

• Photographs if it is safe to take them.

 

How to Deal with Heritage Crime in the UK (Enforcement and Legal Framework)

The UK has specific legislation and enforcement measures to address heritage crime:

• Specific Legislation: Laws like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (for listed buildings and conservation areas), and the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 provide specific offences and penalties for harming protected heritage assets. The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 also includes specific offences.

• General Criminal Law: Offences like theft, criminal damage, and arson under general criminal law also apply to heritage assets, with the "heritage" aspect often considered an aggravating factor leading to more severe penalties.

• Sentencing Guidelines: The Sentencing Council provides guidelines that recognise the unique significance of heritage assets and the potential for greater harm caused by crimes against them.

• Police Heritage Crime Liaison Officers: Most police forces have dedicated officers who coordinate issues related to heritage crime.

• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS): The CPS has specialist prosecutors for wildlife, rural, and heritage crime.

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A formal agreement between key agencies (police, CPS, Historic England, etc.) to work together to tackle heritage crime.

• Heritage Crime Programme: A national initiative involving various partners to prevent and enforce against heritage crime.

• Heritage Crime Impact Statements: These statements can be used in court to explain the significance of the harmed asset and the impact of the crime on the community.

 

Protecting the UK's rich heritage requires ongoing vigilance, strong partnerships, and effective enforcement to ensure these valuable assets are preserved for future generations.