Heritage crime in Essex is a 'big problem', police say

PC Jed Raven, Essex's heritage and wildlife crime officer, said night-hawking was a big problem in Essex

Thefts of historic stone and metal at historic sites in Essex has become a "big problem", police have said.

The warning from Essex Police comes as a new report is published warning of a rise in heritage crime across England.

PC Jed Raven, of Essex Police, said a number of sites had recently been targeted in the county, sometimes at night by people with metal detectors.

"It is a big problem, we do have it happening in Essex," he said.

The research by Historic England and the National Police Chiefs Council looked at the the scale and extent of heritage and cultural property crimes carried out across England between February 2020 and February 2023.

Historic England and National Police Chiefs Council said the thefts have been on the rise in historic places across England

PC Raven said Gosbecks Archaeological Park, a scheduled ancient monument on the outskirts of Colchester, was "a scene of many crimes, but mainly illegal metal detecting".

"We have people coming on to the field with metal detectors," he said. "It is not surrounded by many homes and it is far away from busy main roads and it is an ideal place for people to come and commit the crime."

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Thefts have also been happening in East Bay, Colchester.

The national report said thefts from historic sites rose 9% in 2022 and were usually carried out by thieves disguising themselves in high-vis jackets to appear as workers - and gangs often removed items using stolen vehicles and tools.

It is believed the site was once a Victorian era dumping ground

At East Bay, PC Raven said trenches up to 3ft (90cm) have been dug out.

It is believed the site was once a Victorian era dumping ground. Those digging the trenches are thought to be searching for discarded ginger ale bottles from the era which PC Raven said are sometimes worth up to £400 each.

"It is criminal damage to the ground and there is a big public safety issue as well," said PC Raven.