Illegal metal-detecting at English Heritage sites doubles in two years

Public urged to help tackle rise in nighthawking blamed on organised crime

Organised crime is being blamed for a rise in illegal metal-detecting at heritage sites, including one of England's finest medieval castles and the battlefield of Hastings.

English Heritage said December last year was the worst month for such incidents in more than four years and there were more than double the number of incidents in 2019 as there were in 2017.