New police scheme to crack down on heritage crimes in Devon and Cornwall

Police are asking the public to help with a crackdown on damage to historic sites, monuments and artefacts.

Launched on Thursday, Heritage Watch is a national scheme, to be run regionally by Devon and Cornwall Police.

It is aimed at safeguarding 35,000 designated heritage assets in the two counties.

Earlier this month standing stone Men Scryfa in west Cornwall was damaged in a target of a suspected arson attack this month. .

PC Julian Fry, rural affairs officer for the force, said members would be encouraged to report criminal behaviour.