Vandals target heritage sites during lockdown

LEADING heritage attractions have suffered a double blow from the pandemic, with four in five targeted by vandals and thieves since the first lockdown.

A survey found that 81 per cent of museums, stately homes and castles, among other sites that had suffered financially from closure, had fallen victim to crime since March last year.

Of 500 respondents, 93 per cent introduced security measures to deter criminals, and two thirds became more concerned about crime during the pandemic, with closures and visitor reductions making them vulnerable to attack.

The crimes include theft of metal (12 per cent), stolen art and antiques (14 per cent), criminal damage such as broken windows (17 per cent) and graffiti (11 per cent), costing each organisation an average of more than £80,000 in repairs.

Although crime slightly decreased – with 89 per cent of heritage attractions experiencing a crime during the year before the first lockdown – 60 per cent believed the pandemic had exacerbated crime for the heritage sector, with 21 per cent “strongly agreeing”.

The survey, commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance, a specialist heritage insurers, was conducted by OnePoll between Feb 24 and Mar 8.

Faith Kitchen, heritage director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “The coronavirus has had a huge impact on the heritage sector. Our research revealed heritage attractions have been victims of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, as well as physical and verbal abuse towards staff and volunteers.”