Owners of crime-hit listed homes lambast police

OWNERS of listed buildings have accused the police of failing to stop thieves raiding their historic properties after new research showed a third have suffered arson, graffiti and had precious items stolen.

Theft, anti-social behaviour and vandalism are the top three crimes being experienced by owners of listed properties, with many owners saying they now live in fear. A survey of owners found that 92 per cent feel vulnerable to property crime, with three in 10 having had direct experience of everything from burglary to arson and graffiti. One victim was physically attacked by four masked intruders in a listed property in Hertfordshire. Another discovered raw sewage dumped on their Grade I listed parkland.

The survey found that one in five owners does not feel protected by the police. Of those who have reported a crime, a quarter waited longer than a day for the police to respond and more than one in 10 never heard back from them. One victim recalled: “The police appeared to take no action other than to offer me ‘victim support’.”

The research was commissioned by Ecclesiastical, the specialist insurer, and the Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC), whose 30,000-plus members have historic properties ranging from a modest Georgian terraced house to a grand Elizabethan mansion.

Heritage specialists have been shocked by the survey’s findings, which involved around 1,000 respondents. Peter Bell, the LPOC’s conservation adviser, said: “I’ve been in the historic buildings business all my professional career, 35 years, and I hadn’t anticipated this… I find it all pretty startling. I’m amazed that three in 10 of listed property owners… have been a victim of property crime. I’m absolutely astonished that 92 per cent… feel vulnerable to property crime.”

He added that crime is exacerbating problems already facing owners: “They used to get a good level of service from their local planning authority, which they don’t get. They used to get grants, which they don’t get… On top of all that, they feel insecure from… heritage crime.”

LPOC members own primarily residential, rather than commercial or ecclesiastical properties. They receive professional advice for their concerns, including dealing with planning authorities.

The survey reflects frustrations over planning restrictions, preventing owners from making flimsy old doors and windows safe with security measures such as double-glazing. One owner said: “It is absolutely apparent looking at our building that the windows are of an age where security is lacking and this I feel makes our ancient property an obvious target.”

While one owner complained that the council had blocked changing the window frames “for something more secure”, forcing them to sell their house, another asked: “Why in the future, would anyone consider buying a listed building if reasonable attempts to address personal safety issues are thwarted by the planners.”