Police sent in as rogue metal detectorists plunder

[lee greagsbey]

"Police sent in as rogue metal detectorists plunder Hadrian’s Wall"

...

https://www.metro.news/police-sent-in-a ... l/1703455/

[dig-it-pete]

Well it would be very nice to hear that they had caught some of them and confiscated their detectors at the very least.

[Old Git John]

This problem will never go away until we detectorists take an active role working with the police, and the likes of the National Trust, English Heritage, and the archaeological community. If it continues much longer our great hobby will be totally banned, leaving only the thieves to carry on their evil efforts.

[dig-it-pete]

I can see licensing for detectorists coming John, following on from the government consultation of the treasure act. There will be big changes ahead I feel.

[lee greagsbey]

And again...

"Police scramble to Hadrian’s Wall to stop ‘nighthawk’ metal detectorists damaging ancient structure"

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h ... 93736.html

[Old Git John]

I can see licensing for detectorists coming John, following on from the government consultation of the treasure act. There will be big changes ahead I feel.

I have an old detector, which is in showroom condition, having been bought brand new, used once, and then the owner decided that detecting was not for him. The machine was disassembled and put back into its carry case, where it has been ever since, a truly vintage machine, including the "Licence" which was required in those days. Full working order, made by Whites, who kindly supplied me with a brand new, reprint of the original manual.

So licencing will just be a step back in time, but I would imagine to be considerably more
expensive. I have no great issues with change, as long as it does not impact upon us responsible detectorists, with a real interest in things historic. What we need is the ability to do what we have done for many years, and that is to voluntarily refer finds to the appropriate authorities, when age, precious metal content, and certain other criteria apply. I believe that we should be able to come to agreements with farmers/landowners without interference from the higher authorities.

Penalties for "hawking" must be made much stronger than they are at present, to include loss of equipment, jail for a minimum term of five years, plus a heavy fine. I do believe that the licences should be issued by the dealers for any detector which they sell, at the time of the sale, how to enforce them for privately sold machines is a different story altogether.

In reality there is a need for consultation with the likes of NCMD regarding the whole subject.

[lee greagsbey]

I can see licensing for detectorists coming John, following on from the government consultation of the treasure act. There will be big changes ahead I feel.

I have an old detector, which is in showroom condition, having been bought brand new, used once, and then the owner decided that detecting was not for him. The machine was disassembled and put back into its carry case, where it has been ever since, a truly vintage machine, including the "Licence" which was required in those days. Full working order, made by Whites, who kindly supplied me with a brand new, reprint of the original manual.

So licencing will just be a step back in time, but I would imagine to be considerably more
expensive. I have no great issues with change, as long as it does not impact upon us responsible detectorists, with a real interest in things historic. What we need is the ability to do what we have done for many years, and that is to voluntarily refer finds to the appropriate authorities, when age, precious metal content, and certain other criteria apply. I believe that we should be able to come to agreements with farmers/landowners without interference from the higher authorities.

Penalties for "hawking" must be made much stronger than they are at present, to include loss of equipment, jail for a minimum term of five years, plus a heavy fine. I do believe that the licences should be issued by the dealers for any detector which they sell, at the time of the sale, how to enforce them for privately sold machines is a different story altogether.

In reality there is a need for consultation with the likes of NCMD regarding the whole subject.

I've got to say I agree with everything you've said OGJ...

[weldbuzz]

The report say's that the nighthawkers are stealing artifacts, but how do they know if they found anything?, maybe they didn't find anything, i hope they didn't, and i hope they get caught.

[Old Git John]

The report say's that the nighthawkers are stealing artifacts, but how do they know if they found anything?, maybe they didn't find anything, i hope they didn't, and i hope they get caught.

"Going equipped" is all that is needed.