Officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team arrest six people in connection with the theft of historic artefacts
Date of alert:
Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Cheshire Constabulary
Officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team have arrested six people in connection with the theft of historic artefacts following a series of morning raids in Greater Manchester.
Earlier today (30 June) search warrants were executed at seven addresses located in the Droylsden and Audenshaw areas of Manchester and relate to an investigation of unlawful metal detecting at protected heritage sites across the Midlands and Northern England.
Archaeologists from Historic England’s North West and Midlands regional teams provided online expertise and support for the police officers engaged in the searches.
Six men aged 28, 31, 32, 32, 28 and 31 have been arrested and are helping police with their enquiries.
Artefacts, metal detection equipment and cannabis was seized as part of the investigation. The artefacts will be subject to expert analysis by finds experts from the Portable Antiquities Scheme and archaeologists from Historic England.
