The Culture Minister Jack Sargeant MS has called on members of the public to be watchful of suspicious behaviour at historical and heritage sites following recent cases of vandalism and heritage crimes. There are a variety of illegal activities that constitute heritage crimes, and according to the minister they place ancient monuments, castles and listed buildings in danger.
The call comes following recent reports in the media regarding an increase in the use of metal detectors on protected sites without permission. In a statement Jack Sargeant said:
“Heritage crime is more than vandalism – it’s a loss of our history. But reporting it can help protect Wales’s past for future generations so I would urge the public to be watchful.
Since the beginning of the year, Cadw custodians at several sites have had to report incidents of criminal damage to the police which have, in some cases, resulted in sites being partially closed to the public and additional expense and planned conservation work being postponed to prioritise repairs.”
Among sites that have seen similar incidents is Neath Abbey. Earlier in the year signs were vandalised and land damaged after trespassers used the site as a bike track. In another incident, the windows of the undercroft were smashed and display panels for an exhibition yet to open were damaged and destroyed.
Blaenavon Ironworks’ Cast House had to close recently after an exhibition was vandalised. At Caerleon’s Amphitheatre and Barracks Cadw has reported a range of examples of anti social behaviour recently including graffiti, destruction of Roman brickwork, the burning of a motorcycle on the sire and damage to masonry requiring emergency repairs.
Heritage crime is defined as any illegal activity that harms historic assets. This can include theft, deliberate damage, doing unauthorised work on schedules building, illegal metal detecting or anti-social behaviour. The Welsh Government and Cadw are calling on the public to report any cases they are witness to or suspect to be happening to the police and also to inform Cadw of any specific damage to a registered monument by following this link.
