NORTH Wales Police has joined other forces across the country in a bid to drive down heritage crime.
The campaign has issued a stark warning to those targeting Wales' heritage – once it is gone it cannot be returned.
Heritage crime harms historic assets and sites, and includes illegal metal detecting, or nighthawking, and off-roading on such sites.
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To try and prevent the further loss of important pieces of heritage, North Wales Police, Gwent Police and South Wales Police, led by Dyfed Powys Police have launched Op Heritage Cymru.
This is the first initiative of its kind in the UK and is aimed at raising awareness and preventing heritage crime across Wales.
Police teams will be working with CADW, Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, National Parks, National Trust, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, archaeological trusts and various volunteers across the sector to work towards a greater understanding of heritage crime.
To coincide with the launch, police cadets across Wales are being trained in heritage crime, along with training Rural Crime and Neighbourhood Policing teams.
PIC: North Wales Police are doing their bit to help eradicate heritage crime throughout the country.
PCSO Iwan Owen from North Wales Police’ Rural Crime Team said: “Our heritage is what makes us who we are so it is vital that we protect these landmarks and landscapes for future generations.
“It may seem like small crimes to those involved but it is not. Anything that is taken or damaged in the process of heritage crime is irreplaceable. So, once they are gone they are lost forever.
“We are proud to be part of this important initiative and we hope the public will support us by being our eyes and ears and reporting it to us when they see people committing heritage crimes.”
If you are concerned about crime affecting historic buildings or monuments or other sites in Wales, whether generally or in relation to a particular place, the information below provides advice on what is being done about the problem and what action you can take yourself.
If you are aware of a crime currently taking place, please telephone the police immediately on 999.
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