Authorities in southwest England are stepping up efforts to combat heritage crime at sea, introducing new guidance and enforcement coordination aimed at protecting historic shipwreck sites from looting and damage.
A new enforcement manual developed with Historic England provides guidance for police, coastguard and maritime agencies on protecting historic shipwreck sites from looting and damage.
New measures aimed at protecting historic shipwrecks along England’s southwest coast are being introduced as authorities seek to address the growing problem of heritage crime at sea.
The initiative builds on guidance developed by Historic England and partner organisations to improve how agencies detect and respond to illegal activity on underwater heritage sites.
Heritage crime at sea
Historic shipwrecks are often vulnerable to disturbance or looting by individuals seeking souvenirs or valuable artefacts. While many divers visit wrecks responsibly, unauthorised recovery of objects remains a recurring issue.
A new Common Enforcement Manual for Heritage Crime at Sea has been developed to help police, coastguard units and other maritime authorities coordinate enforcement efforts. The manual brings together the complex legal framework governing underwater cultural heritage and provides operational guidance for responding to suspected offences.
Multiple agencies involved
Unlike crimes on land, incidents involving underwater heritage may involve several agencies at once. Police forces remain the principal enforcement body, but maritime authorities, border officials and coastguard units can also play roles in gathering evidence or reporting suspected offences.
The manual emphasises improved cooperation between these organisations and provides procedures for observation, evidence collection and communication between agencies operating at sea.
Protecting a vulnerable resource
Britain’s waters contain thousands of archaeological sites, ranging from prehistoric landscapes to wartime wrecks. Many remain largely unexplored and can provide valuable insights into maritime history.
Authorities say improved awareness and enforcement are necessary to safeguard these sites for future generations. As underwater heritage is both culturally significant and difficult to monitor, coordinated responses are seen as an important step towards reducing illegal salvage and damage.
