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Night-time treasure thieves, known as nighthawkers, are threatening a nation’s heritage in Wales. These criminals target ancient forts and Roman ruins in search of rare artifacts to sell on the black market. Police officers are faced with the challenge of investigating these crimes, often finding nothing but holes in the ground, with treasures sometimes worth millions of pounds stolen.
PC Dan Counsell of Gwent Police first encountered nighthawking in September 2019 when more than 50 holes were discovered in a churchyard near Chepstow. The robbers were digging in search of valuable artifacts left by Romans who inhabited the area hundreds of years ago. Despite the outrage that followed, these thieves are not interested in disturbing the dead but rather in looting historical treasures hidden in the ground.
These nighthawkers practice metal detecting under the cover of darkness to avoid legal consequences of their actions. Some are motivated by the thrill of collecting artifacts, while others aim to sell them to the highest bidder, often through online auction sites. However, archaeologists and police stress that these criminals represent only a small fraction of the metal detecting community, which is otherwise respectful of historical sites.
Due to nighthawking’s threat to Wales’ heritage, police have been using thermal imaging cameras and drone technology to detect and apprehend these criminals. Many of the targeted sites are Scheduled Monuments, protected under UK law due to their national importance. Cadw, the authority responsible for safeguarding these sites, reports up to 20 nighthawking incidents each year, although the true number is likely higher due to underreporting. Public vigilance plays a crucial role in identifying these crimes, as citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the police
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