Heritage crime uncovered

By Laura Ross

Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Illegal detectorists, graffiti and stolen church flagstones aren’t the usual topics of conversation at the Discovery Centre. For local Heritage Crime Officer, Daryl Holter of Sussex Police, it’s his bread and butter. A big part of his job involves spreading the word far and wide about the importance of protecting our heritage. Last month, it brought him to a room of visitors at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, eager to know more.

During his talk, he spoke about the organised gangs who are targeting churches for their lead rooves, stained glass windows and even the bronze letters on gravestones. We also learned how problematic it is to remove graffiti from historic buildings, given how porous the stone is. 

He's a big believer in sowing the seed about our shared heritage from a young age and regularly visits local schools. His theory is that if someone can develop an emotional attachment to a place, it’s the best preventative measure of them all.

The local community is his secret weapon, and he would encourage anyone who spots something suspicious, to report it to the police: “When our heritage falls victim to abuse it is all our moral responsibility to protect our past”.

A big thanks to Daryl and the Sussex Police for giving us their time.