Gwent's hidden 'nighthawks' hunted by police and Cadw

South Wales Argus

11 hours ago

Known as nighthawking, this illegal practice involves unauthorised metal detecting on protected archaeological sites, often driven by the lure of valuable artefacts destined for private collections or the black market.
Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, warns that these acts are causing irreversible damage to Wales's ancient monuments. They urge the public to remain vigilant, reminding communities that police operations are in place to protect these treasures from being stolen.
Gwent's landscape is a tapestry of Roman ruins, medieval castles, and prehistoric hill forts.
These Scheduled Monuments are legally protected, yet increasingly targeted by treasure thieves.
Gwent Police has investigated dozens of suspected incidents, with reports of mysterious holes appearing overnight in fields, churchyards, and woodlands.
One of the most disturbing cases unfolded in 2019 at the churchyard of St Stephen and St Tathan in Caerwent, one of Wales's oldest surviving Christian sites.
More than 50 holes were discovered, dug under cover of darkness. The scene was so unsettling that locals feared grave robbing ghouls had struck.
The damage, however, was later linked to nighthawkers searching for Roman or early Christian relics.
The image of ghouls prowling sacred ground in search of treasure struck a nerve, highlighting the emotional toll of heritage crime.
Cadw estimates that 10 to 20 nighthawking incidents occur annually across Wales, though the true figure is likely higher due to underreporting
. The organisation urges landowners and the public to report suspicious activity using the phrase 'Operation Heritage Cymru.'
A spokesman for Cadw said: 'Unauthorised metal detecting is a significant problem across the UK.
'Members of the public and landowners observing any metal detecting on scheduled monuments, or suspicious metal detecting on non-scheduled monuments in Wales, should report it immediately to the police via 999 using the phrase 'Operation Heritage Cymru.'
'Significant finds should always be left in the ground for professional recovery so that archaeological data can be maximised and fragile remains conserved.'
Experts stress that early intervention is vital, not only to prevent theft, but to preserve the historical context of artefacts, which is often lost when items are removed without professional oversight.
In response, Gwent Police has increased night patrols and deployed thermal imaging drones.
Arrests have been made, but the challenge remains. Once an item is taken, its historical value may be lost forever.
Cadw continues to work closely with law enforcement and heritage experts to protect vulnerable sites.
Operation Heritage Cymru, launched in recent years, is the UK's first coordinated initiative to tackle heritage crime. It targets offences such as illegal metal detecting, off-roading on historic sites, theft, vandalism, and unlawful salvage.
These crimes not only damage protected assets, Cadw says, but also disrupt public understanding and enjoyment of Wales's rich history.
Nighthawking is theft. Public vigilance and responsible reporting are essential to safeguarding the stories buried beneath our feet, and to keeping the ghouls at bay.