New partnership launched aimed to safeguard historical sites
Gloucestershire Police have unveiled a pioneering initiative aimed at safeguarding historical sites, monuments, and artifacts by combatting the menace of heritage crime. The newly launched Heritage Watch scheme seeks to foster a culture of vigilance, urging individuals to promptly report any criminal activities or instances of anti-social behavior they witness.
The inception of this program was prompted by the distressing ordeal suffered by Cheltenham Minster, a magnificent Grade-I listed structure, which endured significant and lasting damage. To address such issues and prevent their recurrence, the Heritage Watch scheme was officially inaugurated on May 11th.
Andrew Booton, Chair of Cheltenham Civic Society, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating, "The town center is currently suffering from a plague of graffiti, which in settings such as the Minster is not just vandalism but is a heritage crime. We are very pleased that this problem is now being treated as a priority. Oversight and the greater likelihood of being caught and prosecuted is the deterrent we need."
To learn more about the scheme, please follow this link.