A NEW partnership to tackle criminals who attack Scotland ’s built heritage was launched yesterday.
The Scottish Heritage Crime Group (SHCG) was officially launched in Falkirk by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, and representatives from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Police Scotland, Treasure Trove, City of Edinburgh Council and the Association of Planning Enforcement Officers.
The group stated that it “will work collaboratively to reduce the damage, impact and cost of heritage crime throughout Scotland by raising awareness of the impacts of criminal damage and strengthening information-sharing between partners”.
Heritage crime is defined as any criminal activity which causes damage to a heritage asset. This includes metal theft, vandalism, and intentional damage to both historic buildings and monuments.
The announcement was made on World Heritage Day, the annual event celebrated across the globe to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving cultural heritage.
In partnership with the SHCG, Crimestoppers, the independent charity that supports the Police to solve crimes, is launching a new campaign encouraging members of the public to speak up anonymously about damage to Scotland’s historic buildings and monuments.
Hyslop said: “I am very pleased that the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime is the first in the UK to recognise Heritage Crime as a priority area in its new Rural Crime Strategy.
“Scotland is home to a wealth of cultural property and heritage, generating economic benefits of around £4.2 billion in 2017, supporting over 60,000 full time jobs and attracting over 18 million visitors in that year alone.
“As guardians of Scotland’s heritage, it is our responsibility to protect it from those who would seek to harm and degrade it through theft, vandalism or other forms of criminality.”
Alex Paterson, chief executive of HES, said: “The Scottish Heritage Crime Group will enable us to work with our partners to tackle heritage crime more effectively.”
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