Metal detecting on nature reserves
Our policy is not to allow any archaeological work including metal detecting to be carried out on any of our nature reserves unless critical to the management of the site or where historical features are in danger of being lost.
The public should be aware that:
- Removal of any object from land without the landowner’s permission may amount to an offence of theft
- Rye Harbour is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has the designated Scheduled Ancient Monument Camber Castle within its boundaries
- It is an offence to damage a scheduled Ancient Monument without a licence from Historic England, as is failing to report objects that are potential treasure
If you find illicit metal detectorists on a Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserve:
- Report it to the police, as this is likely a crime in progress
- Don’t approach them as this may scare them off or may cause them to become aggressive towards you
- Gather information by taking registration numbers of vehicles and descriptions of those involved and pass these details to the Police immediately
Reporting illicit metal detecting
To report Illicit Metal Detecting to Sussex Police online, please use: https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/
If evidence is left behind, tell Sussex Police and ask how you can preserve the evidence. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org