County heritage crime efforts feature on TV

Dacorum Chief Insp Glen Channer and Ashridge's National Trust general manager Kirsten Proctor at the Bridgewater Monument PNL-140417-143920001

The BBC1 programme, due to air at 6.20pm, will see presenter Tom Heap interview the the county constabulary’s Chief Constable Andy Bliss – who also acts as the national policing lead for heritage crime. Chief Con Bliss uses the platform to explain heritage crime and its potential to damage the area’s heritage and historical artefacts forever. He said: Tackling heritage and cultural property crime is something I take an active interest in, not only because I am the national policing lead, but also because I feel it is important to protect Hertfordshire’s historical and cultural assets for future generations.

“People who live close to historical sites and those who have a real interest in our local history tend to frequent the county’s areas of historical interest more often and are therefore likely to notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.”

The offence is defined as any which targets the historic environment, such as natural landmarks and cultural property such as art and architecture. According to officers, there has been a spike in this type of activity due to the economic downturn – prompting criminals to turn to metal theft and the illegal trade of assets.