Police patrols at archaeological sites over autumn equinox

PATROLS have been carried out at scheduled archaeological sites as police continue to work against heritage crime.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers, along with the Pembrokeshire National Parks Authority, visited a number of sites over the autumn equinox – including burial chambers, settlements, enclosures, standing stones and stone circles – as part of the HeritageWatch scheme.

The equinox is celebrated as the beginning of a new season, and visitor numbers can increase at historically significant sites as people gather to mark the occasion.

Dyfed-Powys Police heritage lead Sergeant Lynwen Thomas said: “It was important that we visited these sites to ensure nobody was breaching Covid-19 regulations by gathering to mark the equinox, to check that no damage had been caused in the areas, and also to continue our heritage crime training.

“These sites hold so much importance, and unfortunately we do come across damage which is sometimes irreparable.

“We were pleased to see that there were no issues identified with the equinox.”

The heritage equinox patrols were carried out at sites including Carn Ffoi, Bedd Morris stone, Carreg Coetan, Pentre Ifan, Bedd yr afanc, Drygarn, Gors Fawr and Bwlch y Gwynt.

Officers and PCSOs from across Dyfed-Powys continue to be trained in the importance of spotting and investigating crimes at these sites as part of the HeritageWatch scheme.

A virtual training event has been held by the force and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which was joined by Gwent Police, North Wales Police, Cheshire Police, Cadw, Historic England, the other Welsh National Parks and the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.

Sgt Thomas said: “We are fortunate to have a number of scheduled archaeological sites in our force area that are of immense national and international significance, and attract visitors from across the world.

“It is important that officers are aware of these sites and their history, in order to correctly deal with reports of crimes affecting them – that’s the purpose of these training days, which have now expanded to include colleagues from the other Welsh forces.”

For more information about heritage crime, how to identify and report it, as well as details about the HeritageWatch scheme, visit https://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/about-the-national-park/archaeology/heritagewatch/

Alternatively, like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/heritagewatch.pembs/