Never mind the shoplifters, help us hunt a detectorist
POLICE have been accused of wasting resources when they launched a hunt for a detectorist spotted in a park.
Sussex Police released a photo of the man in Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, urging anyone who knew his identity to call 101.
The appeal surprised locals. One wrote on social media: “Poor bloke might have just got a metal detector for Xmas and wanted to test it.”
Another suggested: “People with detectors are asked to help look for dropped items of jewellery from time to time.” And a third commented: “I didn’t realise metal detecting was such a heinous crime.” Police had posted: “We are keen to talk to a man in connection with unauthorised metal detecting which took place at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, at around 4pm on Friday, December 29.”
They added: “Arun District Council now owns the park and does not give permission for metal detecting there … unauthorised or illicit use of metal detectors can lead to permanent loss of important historical information or artefacts, and damage land.”
There are 20,000 detectorists in Britain, although the number is believed to have rocketed in the wake of Detectorists, the award-winning BBC comedy series written by and starring Mackenzie Crook.