Roman Nighthawks

ORTH-East experts have expressed concern over historic sites that have been targeted by illegal metal detector users, who are stealing ancient relics.  They say that they entire cultural history of the region is at risk from the activities of so-called nighthawkers.

A recent survey revealed that over a third of the sites targeted by nighthawkers between 1995 and 2008 were Scheduled Monuments.

There are honey pot sites, especially Roman locations, such as Corbridge and Hadrian’s Wall, which are attacked regularly.  They majority of incidents take place after ploughing, causing damage to walls, fences, hedges, gates, crops and fields.

“There is a hotspot in the North-east around the Corbridge Roman site, but the whole of the eastern side of the country is being targeted, “said Mike Collins, English Heritage Director for Hadrian’s Wall.  “We are losing things, that are an important part of our heritage.

“It is very hard to say just how widespread the problem is.  The illegal metal detector users go onto our land without permission.  They are getting things like coins, broaches and household goods which we could learn a lot from.  Once these items have been taken away, they lose their context and we can’t learn anything from them.  They are lost to us forever.

“There are many responsible people who use metal detectors and properly record everything that they find.  It is the ones who do it illegally that we want to target.”

The illegal use of metal detectors can theft and liable to prosecution under the Theft Act.  There have been few arrests and fewer prosecutions.  Only 26 cases have ended in court.  The punishment has invariably a small fine, once as low as £38.

English Heritage is calling for the establishment of a central database of reported nighthawking activities.  They also want a tightening of the Treasure Act to require everyone who comes into contact with treasure finds has a duty to report them, not just the finder.

A last word from Mr Collins.

“There needs to be more cooperation between the authorities to ensure that this crime is tackled properly.”

The activities of nighthawks could be a major threat to our hobby.