Essex Police - Heritage Crime Meetings Launched

Historic meeting to protect our counties valuable heritage assets

The first meeting of the Essex Heritage Crime Strategy Group took place on Wednesday 7^th October at the Corporation of London Epping Forest Rangers base at Loughton. The group consists of Essex Police, Essex County Council Place Services, Historic England and other heritage professionals representing the different facets of our heritage for instance: visitor attractions and museums, archaeology, church buildings, listed building owners, the insurance sector and history groups.  The Essex Heritage Crime Strategy Group were a guiding body for the formation of Heritage Watch, the meeting included an update on its progress and will continue to support Heritage Watch. One of the objectives of the group is to understand and reduce crimes threatening our heritage assets such as metal thefts and the recently publicised theft of historic masonry. As well as discussing current threats and risks to each aspect of our counties heritage there were presentations from William Brown – National Security Adviser to the Arts Council and John Minary of Trace-in Metal Ltd.

Stephen Armson-Smith - Essex Police heritage crime prevention lead said “Heritage assets within our county are many, varied, and valuable and in most cases they are simply irreplaceable, it’s important that we are proactive in protecting them. This group brings together the people with the knowledge from the wide variety of heritage fields to help keep our heritage safe for this and future generations to enjoy”.  

Stephen Armson-Smith 74324

Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor

Architectural Liaison Officer

Braintree and Uttlesford Districts

Heritage Crime Prevention Lead

Telephone 101 extension 407110

Mobile 07525 409720

Essex Police

The Police Station,

Blyths Meadow,

Braintree,

Essex CM7 3DJ

stephen.armson-smith[at]essex.pnn.police.uk

Stephen Armson-Smith visited stallholders to raise awareness of Heritage Crime at the Essex Industrial Heritage Fair at Braintree on 10 October 2015, an event organised by the Essex Industrial Heritage Group and Essex Society for Archaeology and History.