Public urged to report heritage crime in Wales
Residents are being urged to report suspicious behaviour at historic buildings and heritage sites in Wales following a recent rise in vandalism and heritage crime.
The Welsh Government says ancient monuments, castles and listed buildings are increasingly at risk from unlawful activities including damage, theft and illegal metal detecting.
Culture Minister 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 start of the year, custodians at Cadw sites have had to report criminal damage to police, leading in some cases to partial closures, added expense and delays to planned conservation work.
Neath Abbey has seen repeated incidents, including damage to interpretation signage, grass torn up by intruders using the site as a bike track, smashed windows and destruction of exhibition panels.
At Blaenavon Ironworks, the Cast House was closed after an audio-visual display was vandalised and bricks were thrown from a tower.
Anti-social behaviour at Caerleon’s Amphitheatre and Barracks has included graffiti, heat damage to Roman brickwork from barbecues, a burnt-out motorbike left on site and repeated masonry damage requiring emergency repairs.
Heritage crime includes theft of historic metals, deliberate damage such as graffiti, unauthorised works on scheduled monuments, illegal metal detecting, and anti-social behaviour such as littering or out-of-hours access.
People who witness or suspect heritage crime are asked to call 999 in an emergency and use the phrase “Operation Heritage Cymru”, or call 101 in non-emergency cases. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Damage involving scheduled monuments should be reported to Cadw, while listed building issues can be reported to local authority conservation officers. Residents are also encouraged to join local Heritage Watch schemes.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
