Council To Sign Pledge To Protect Historic Assets |
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Joining the police, English Heritage & the CPS
The council is poised to sign up to a new initiative that aims to tackle crimes and anti-social behaviour that damage the borough’s historic environment. Wandsworth is set to join a nationwide network of bodies, including English Heritage, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service that are committed to tackling crimes against historic buildings. The most common offences of this type include theft, particularly of metals like copper, lead and bronze, vandalism, graffiti and arson. Recent incidents in the borough include the theft of bronze war memorials and lead from the roofs of churches, community halls and the chapel at Putney Vale crematorium. "War memorials are often stolen and melted down, while churches and other historic buildings across the country have suffered in recent years from a spate of thefts. Insurance claims to cover the theft of lead from church roofs are now running at twenty times the number they were in 2005. "Unfortunately many of the crimes that are committed against historic or listed buildings leave an indelible scar or blemish and deny future generations the chance to enjoy fine architecture or in the case of war memorials, the opportunity to pay homage to the sacrifices of their forefathers. That is why we plan to join ARCH and work with the police, CPS, English Heritage, other conservation bodies and local communities to deter and tackle the criminals who rob us of our valuable historical legacy." Baroness Andrews, Chair of English Heritage, said:
August 8, 2011 |