How Dorset Police is Cracking Down on Heritage Crime

Dorset is home to some of the most remarkable historic landscapes, archaeological sites and heritage assets in the country. Protecting that heritage is a responsibility we all share. While heritage crime may not be one of the first issues people associate with policing, offences such as theft, illegal metal detecting and damage to protected sites can have a lasting impact. Once history is lost, it cannot simply be replaced.

Heritage crime is one of the key areas the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime (DPARC) was established to tackle. Since its formation in 2021, members have introduced a number of initiatives to address the issue, including a pilot scheme involving signage, monitoring and raising awareness of the impact of off-roading on protected heritage and wildlife sites. Through DPARC, Dorset Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are also working with Historic England to improve the mapping and monitoring of heritage crime.

Last year, Dorset Police launched Heritage Watch, a new initiative aimed at helping to preserve the county’s historic sites from crime and anti-social behaviour. Heritage crime includes any offence that directly harms a listed building, scheduled monument, World Heritage Site or protected wreck. Through Heritage Watch, members of the public can report crime or anti-social behaviour affecting heritage sites using an online form on the Dorset Police website.

To tell us more about the work being done to tackle this complex issue, I have invited Sergeant Ian Arnold, Heritage Crime Lead for Dorset Police. He brings a unique perspective on the threats facing our historic environment, the work underway to protect it and the important role local communities play in safeguarding Dorset’s heritage for future generations.

I’ve been the lead for heritage crime within Dorset Police for around three years. Following a briefing from Historic England, it became clear that heritage offences were not always being identified or recorded correctly, meaning they were often going under the radar.

Since taking on the role, I have worked with colleagues across the Force to improve how heritage crimes are recorded by ensuring the correct tags exist on our systems and delivering training to neighbourhood policing teams, the Rural Crime Team and Mounted Rural Volunteers so they can recognise and respond appropriately. I have also worked with our Incident and Crime Response teams and the Force Control Room to ensure heritage crime is handled correctly throughout the investigative process.

In Dorset, the two most common types of heritage crime are nighthawking – illegal metal detecting on scheduled monuments or without landowners’ permission – and the theft of lead from protected buildings.

One of the biggest challenges we face is under-reporting. Heritage offences are often reported to landowners or Historic England rather than directly to the police. Heritage Watch brings together partner agencies to share intelligence and raise awareness of how incidents can be reported. Since its launch, we have seen an increase in reports, with volunteers and subject matter experts providing valuable information and intelligence.

We have already seen some positive results. Recently, Historic England passed on information relating to suspected nighthawking, including a vehicle registration number. This enabled officers to identify the suspect, establish their movements and catch them in the act.

Heritage crime is an issue where intelligence is crucial. In some cases, particularly nighthawking, communities can be very secretive, so I would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it and, where appropriate, make clear that they believe it may involve heritage crime.

I’d like to thank Sergeant Arnold for taking the time to share his expertise with us. The work he, the rest of the Force and our DPARC partners are doing to combat heritage crime is vital in protecting Dorset’s rich history, landscapes and cultural heritage for future generations.

Protecting these treasured places is a shared responsibility, and public reporting plays a crucial role in helping us identify and tackle offences. If you see suspicious activity or have concerns about potential heritage crime, please report it and help us keep Dorset’s heritage safe. You can also find information about local concerns, how to share intelligence and how to report issues on the Country Watch website

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner